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Study in a horsebox Issue 228 Winter 2005 2 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 %XVLQHVVRSSRUWXQLW\

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News round-up Pages 4 - 8

Letters Pages 10 -11 Your views

Have books will travel Page 12 SIMPLYTHE BEST Study in a horsebox

F you’re one of the thousands who’re waiting with bated breath for your exam results, we Students at the final frontier Page 13 The space university hope when the news comes it will be good. This year you have something extra to look Iforward to: for the first time the university will be making available personalised feedback, TV tuition is a rough business Pages 14 -15 albeit limited, on your exam performance (see story page 22). This is something students have AL turns presenter been wanting for a long time; we at sesame will be interested to hear what you think of it. You only have 28 days after your results become available to view it, so don’t forget. And then Get the inside information Page 16 enjoy your well-earned rest before plunging into your next course – and if you still haven’t How to choose a course chosen that, turn to page 16 for some advice. Seeking out Busby’s babes Pages 18 - 19 And should you need something more than the sesame crossword to keep your brain ticking The golden era of Man U over during the festive season, turn to page 6 and read about the new sesame Student Awards. In the next issue of sesame we’ll be giving you the opportunity to nominate someone – a fellow sesame reader survey Pages 20 - 21 student, family member or friend, or even yourself – for these Awards which aim to reflect just What you said how much and in how many different ways OU students are achievers. And even if you don’t More exam feedback Page 22 send in a nomination you can be part of the celebrations – more details in future sesames. Your performance online And finally, to all our readers, many thanks for your letters and comments throughout the year. We wish you all a merry Christmas – or happy holiday – and a very happy New Year. OU angels Page 23 Yvonne Cook, Editor in medicine

From minor to major Pages 24 - 25 OU in the community

A fly on the wall Page 26 David Attenborough’s creepy crawly TV show

Gift of the Greeks Pages 27 - 29 New courses

Those who can, tutor Pages 30 - 31 Could you become an Associate Lecturer?

World wide web Pages 32 - 33 Careers in Information Technology

The Interview Page 35 It’s health and media for hospital DJ

Crossword Page 36

WITH THIS ISSUE – Page 37 OU STUDENT Mixed blessings – A round-up of the Open University Students Association’s latest activities The sesame Student Awards will take place in in 2006 Image: Visit London

Editor: Yvonne Cook Published by: The Open University. sesame email: [email protected] The Open University, Walton Hall, telephone: +44 (0)1908 653011 The editorial content of this magazine was Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA correct at the time of going to press. No part email: [email protected] Assistant Editor: Sheila Forman of this publication may be reproduced in any telephone: +44 (0)1908 653761 email: [email protected] form without the prior permission of the website: www.open.ac.uk/sesame telephone: +44 (0)1908 653761 publishers. Printed by: Artisan Press, Leicester Creative Director: Maxine France Views expressed in articles are those of ISSN: 0267-033X email: [email protected] the contributors and not necessarily of telephone: +44 (0)1908 652585 sesame or The Open University. Advertising: McMillan-Scott Publication of an advertisment or loose email: [email protected] or Head of Publications: Debbie Dixon insert in sesame does not imply Open email: [email protected] email: [email protected] University recognition or approval of the telephone: +44 (0)20 7878 2300 telephone: +44 (0)1908 652451 goods or services advertised. 4 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 5

More news online at More news online at PVC’S VIEW NEWS www.open.ac.uk/sesame www.open.ac.uk/sesame NEWS Yes, you can trust the tables NONE of us believe in league tables. Scientists find new More cash for worse off They first entered the university world in the early 1990s. The agents of N a move welcomed by The Open University, government is students who do not have access to the same loans and other support change were two forms of external way to locate North putting an extra £40 million into supporting part-time study over that full-timers do. assessment: the teaching of individual Ithe next two years, targeted at students from groups which are Following the series of government announcements the OU now departments was measured by the underrepresented in higher education. says its fees will rise by seven per cent next year, which is considerably Quality Assurance Agency and their Sea oil reserves The funding boost, which will be shared between the OU and other less than the ‘top up’ fees rises planned by many full-time universities. research by the Research Assessment part-time education providers, was announced on 4 November and Speaking on 4 November the OU’s Vice-Chancellor Brenda Gourley Exercise. Neither measure was intended RESEARCHERS based at the ago without being trapped. comes on top of an enhanced support package for part-time students said: “The extra £40 million announced today, in addition to the recent to be used to create national rankings Open University and the Many things need to be announced by Education Secretary Ruth Kelly on 18 October. support package for part-time students on low incomes, gives us a of departments or universities, but the have in place to trap enough oil Sir Howard Newby, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding real opportunity to extend educational opportunity and promote educational press soon found means of found a way to improve the in the reservoir to Council for , said on 4 November: “Today’s announcement social justice.” compiling and publishing tables. odds on finding undersea make drilling economically demonstrates our continued commitment to the importance of The Open University Students Association has joined forces with reservoirs of oil off the north worthwhile. part-time study.” But the long-term impact on fees for OU and other the National Union of Students to campaign on behalf of part-time Pernicious coast of the UK. The new technique involves part-time students is not yet clear. students. OUSA’s President Joan Jones told sesame she still has a These had pernicious effects. They The scientists have measuring the age of a Before the announcements were made, the ‘major concern for those students who are just simplified the complex work of developed a new technique mineral, potassium feldspar, OU had been appealing to government to make “I still have a major concern for above the threshold for support and who may teaching and research into crude that can help to predict which is present as a natural sure part-time higher education providers did students just above the threshold” still face significantly increased fees’. numerical scores. They encouraged Sandstone reservoir rock which rocks are most likely cement in many oil reservoirs not lose out next year, when full-time “I am pleased that our university will benefit vice-chancellors to pursue marginal to contain oil, and have (see the electron microscope rocks,” says Dr Simon Kelley, institutions will be boosting their income by charging their students from the extra £40million announced by the government. However, at improvements in their rankings rather successfully demonstrated image, right). When the at The Open University’s “top-up” fees (see sesame 227 p 5). The extra funds just announced the moment I have so few details it’s hard to know exactly how this will than the delivery of the mission of their new technique on cement also contains bubbles CEPSAR research centre, will enable the OU to increase the level of fee grant payable to students be allocated and what it will really mean for our students,” she said. their institutions. Ingenious effort was sandstone rocks found deep of oil, it pinpoints the time “but it’s also essential on low incomes from £590 to £750 per 60-point course from 2006. “It may sound a lot of money but when you consider that it has to be invested, not in improving the lot of beneath the seafloor between when oil passed through the information for the oil It will also have more money available for discretionary grants that distributed across the sector and the OU estimated that students, but in manipulating the the Shetland Isles and Faroes. rock, and allows geologists industry in searching for universities can give to part-time students through their Access to comparatively it would be under-resourced by £34million a year by scoring system. So we deplore them. to determine which areas future sources.” Learning Fund, and for the first time it will be allowed to use this Fund 2008/09, it doesn’t seem quite such a big amount. I will be talking to Except when we come top. Mineral clues would have provided good oil Dr Kelley along with to waive fees for low-income students. the university about the details but I still have a major concern for The National Student Survey, the Not all sandstone rocks traps. Professor John Parnell from These moves by government should help to reduce the disadvantage those students who are just above the threshold for support.” first ever to be wholly based on what contain oil and millions of “This is important for the University of Aberdeen the OU faces next year when conventional full-time universities start The latest initiatives to help part-time students apply to those in the students themselves think about pounds have been spent science because we are able headed the research team. charging top-up fees of up to £3,000 per student, a measure that will England only. The OU in Wales, which is funded differently from the OU their teaching, placed The Open drilling only to find nothing, to determine both the time Their work was published in a give them significantly more funds to invest in teaching and learning. in England, is awaiting the outcome of a review into funding and fees University ahead of every other because the oil passed and temperature at which paper in Science magazine in Part-time institutions such as the OU would not have access to this for part-time students. There are no plans for top-up fees in institution in England, Wales and through millions of years fluids moved through the September. additional money unless they increase their own fees, which at present. For details on how part-time students on low incomes can Northern Ireland (except Oxford, government had suggested. But the university had told government receive financial assistance contact the OU’s Financial Assistance Cambridge and Warwick, whose this would make its courses too expensive for thousands of part-time Advice Line on 01908 653411 (weekdays 8.30am to 5.30pm). students failed to send in enough returns). There are technical problems even It’s ‘make your mind up’ time with this simple measure. But it is straightforward enough to contain STUDENTS are being urged to register for qualification, visit the OU’s online prospectus Secure job? real meaning. There was a tendency in their course/s for next year as soon as possible at www.open.ac.uk/courses/ INFORMATION security has never been a hotter topic the press to discount our achievement rather then leaving it until 27 January 2006, For further details about learning with the than in these days of electronic commerce, identity theft as if we were competing in a which is the final cut-off date. OU visit www.open.ac.uk/learning/index.cfm and terrorism. Which is why there’s always plenty of work mini-league of part-time distance Isobel Bates, Centre Manager, Student Here you will find guidance on choosing an for OU students like Martin Forsdick. Martin, who gained education. We were not. The national Registration and Enquiry Service, explains why: appropriate course, a link to the university his BSc (Honours) with the OU and who is now studying table confirmed the claim we have “Registering now means that students will have careers site and ideas about further on the Postgraduate Computing programme, has won always made. That through our a better chance of getting a place on their developing your skills as a learner. the Insight Consulting Prize for best student on the curriculum, our educational technology, preferred course. Alternatively, if you would prefer to discuss first presentation of M886 Information security and our student support, we have your options for next year with an advisor or management. Martin says that managing information developed a way of teaching which is Preparation time you would like to register by phone telephone security is a significant aspect of his work as a just better for the student than much “Students will also receive their course 0870 333 4340. Lines are open weekdays consultant for the Ministry of Defence. of what happens in nominally full-time, materials in plenty of time before the course 8.30am to 9pm; Saturdays 9am to 5pm. The prize is sponsored by Insight Consulting, part of nominally face-to-face institutions. starts and if the course includes preparatory Students can also register online at Siemens Communications. Managing Director of Insight We should take pride in the Survey. study, students will be able to complete this at www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?A02 Consulting, Ian Glover, told sesame that Information This year. a pace that suits them.” You will need to click the ‘to register’ button for Security Management is now gaining recognition as a David Vincent In the meantime if you are unsure about your chosen course. profession in its own right. “A lot of very bright people Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Strategy, which course/s to take or are waiting for For new students the closing date for are now choosing this as a career,” he said, adding there is Planning and External Affairs exam results before embarking on a new registration is 16 December. still a huge need for more professionals in the industry. Prizewinner Martin (right) with Ian Glover 6 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 7

More news online at More news online at IN BRIEF NEWS www.open.ac.uk/sesame www.open.ac.uk/sesame NEWS IN BRIEF

Stuart Hall honoured A national institution? PROFESSOR Stuart Hall, Emeritus AS if becoming a published author in Professor of Sociology at the OU, has his 70s wasn’t enough, OU graduate been elected a Fellow of the British Gerry Hanson has won praise for his Academy. Its Fellowships are awarded to New for 2006 – first book from no other than Daily scholars who have attained distinction We’re top! Telegraph diarist W.F. Deedes. He in the arts or humanities. Further dubbed Gerry’s England my England, a details are at www.britac.ac.uk sesame Student Awards HE OU has been named dip-in anthology of all things English, as the institution with ‘admirable’ in his Notebook column. Frog logged Among the entertaining snippets HE Open University is delighted to StudentHome and the sesame website in the Tthe highest overall Gerry has garnered for his collection is A NEWLY identified species of Sri announce the first-ever national student New Year. The nomination form will also be satisfaction rate following the following taken from Bill Bryson’s Lankan frog has been named after awards which are entirely for students. printed in the spring issue of sesame. the publication of the results T of the first National Student Notes from a Small Island: ‘What other OU Biology Professor Tim Halliday. The sesame Student Awards comprise 10 The winners will be officially announced at a nation in the world could possibly have Philautus hallidayi was so called to award categories and will provide all currently special awards ceremony at a world-class Survey in September. given us William Shakespeare, pork honour the Professor’s ‘three decades registered OU students with an opportunity to venue in London next year. If you don’t want to The results also show that pies, Christopher Wren, Windsor Great of research on amphibians and his nominate themselves, or somebody else they nominate yourself or somebody else for an the university achieved the Park, The Open University, Gardeners’ exceptional commitment to advancing think deserves a special mention. Award award but would still like to join in the highest overall score for Question Time and the chocolate our understanding of the global categories include OU Entrepreneur of the celebrations there will be an opportunity to assessment and feedback, digestive biscuit?’ England my amphibian decline crisis’. Professor Year, Research Student of the Year, Student attend. and shared the highest overall England is published by Robson Books, Halliday is international director of the of the Year, Lifelong Learner Award and the As well as an awards dinner students will be score for organisation and ISBN 1-86105-893-4. Task Force on Declining Amphibian Vice-Chancellor’s Award. able to take part in workshops and lectures management. Populations (DAPTF). One of DAPTF’s Students will also be able to nominate a and find out more about OU courses. This success puts the Research without walls most recent projects is to investigate family member or friend who has helped them For further details on the sesame university at the top of a new the decline in ghost frogs in South during their studies. Student Awards email sesame-awards@ rankings table created by the A NEW book shines a light on the Africa, and how this may be related to open.ac.uk Alternatively, tel: +44 (0)1908 Times Higher Education rarely noticed but invaluable water supply. More information about Nominations 274066. Or write to us at sesame, The Open Supplement (THES). researchers who operate outside the DAPTF, and its bulletin Froglog, is Full details of the awards categories and the University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, A second THES table on university system. Participating in the available at www.open.ac.uk/daptf/ nomination form will be made available on MK7 6AA, UK. specific subjects shows that Knowledge Society: Researchers Open University students are beyond the University Walls, edited by Maths Professor elected more satisfied than those at Open University historian Professor PROFESSOR Jeff Griffiths, Associate any other university in 10 Ruth Finnegan, looks at the work of the Lecturer in Region 10 (Wales), has subject areas of the 41 listed; freelance family historians, internet been elected as President of the Probing chaos no other university listed has bloggers and many others who are British Operational Research Society achieved top ratings in as continuing a generations-old tradition IT IS now possible for partnership included a UK own solar system to the most from January 2006. Professor many subjects. laid down by 17th century village astronomy students across consortium consisting of The distant galaxies. Dr Andrew OU students are more satisfied than any others Griffiths has been an associate In the survey, participating astronomers, Victorian amateur the UK to access recent Open University, Armagh Norton, Senior Lecturer in lecturer with the university since 1971 students were asked to rate students who were near the asked to take part in the 2005 botanists and others. The book data and images of stars Observatory, the University Physics and Astronomy at and has taught a range of level 1 their universities on a range end of undergraduate courses National Student Survey, provides a rebuttal of the notion that with their own pcs using of Keele, the University The Open University, Mathematics courses, starting with of measures, which included were invited to take part. however, you will not be asked that ‘research’ can and should be SALT, a record-breaking new of Central Lancashire, the explained: “We’ll be able to the first foundation course M100. He teaching and learning Welcoming the survey to complete it again. Your delimited within academically policed telescope. see how the light from stars currently tutors MST121 and MS221 resources. In addition they results, Open University views will be kept strictly boundaries, said Professor Finnegan. SALT (the Southern African and the University of changes on very rapid in Cardiff. For his ‘day job’, he is head of were asked to provide an Vice-Chancellor Professor confidential and the results of “The most creative and untrammelled Largest Telescope) cost £11 Southampton. timescales. Some of the the School of Mathematics at Cardiff ‘overall satisfaction’ rating, Brenda Gourley said: “Study the survey will be presented researching today may be outside the million to build, equals the Its future studies and most violent star systems University. for which the OU achieved with The Open University in a way that will not identify universities.” Participating in the largest telescope in the world observations will vary in the Universe – those 4.5 out of a possible five requires commitment and any individual. Knowledge Society is published by in size and was built by greatly, ranging from containing white dwarfs, Hidden histories points. dedication to succeed. We If you have recently Palgrave, ISBN 1403939462. partners in six countries. The asteroids and comets in our neutron star or black holes – The National Student make every effort to ensure completed a degree or RESEARCHERS at the OU’s Faculty of vary extremely rapidly. Survey is part of the that our course materials, postgraduate diploma the OU Earn while you learn to teach Health and Social Care have captured SALT’s contribution to these government’s new Teaching support and systems are of will be in touch with you the voices and stories of families caring ARE you interested in trying out time domain studies Quality Information website, the highest quality and the shortly to ask you to take part for those with learning disabilities, teaching in secondary schools? You in extreme environment which went live in September. students’ commitment is in another survey about the with a collection of poignant and could benefit from up to 30 days work astrophysics promises to be The TQI site (www.tqi.ac.uk) matched by our own,” she said. destination of leavers in revealing oral histories spanning the experience in a secondary school in enormous.” brings together key sources higher education. This is a last 100 years. Dr Sheena Rolph and England alongside your studies, and ‘First-light’ trial colour of official information about More surveys to come national survey which all Professor Dorothy Atkinson are among earn £40 a day, tax-free. That’s up to images were recently the quality of UK higher If you have studied with The universities are required to the editors of a new book, Witnesses £1200. This opportunity is available released, achieving SALT’s education. The survey is Open University during each carry out. If contacted please to Change: Families, Learning only until 31 July and there are only first significant scientific based on responses from of the last three years and do complete and return the Difficulties and History. “This is a 600 places for the 2005/06 school results and marking the more than 170,000 students completed at least 120 questionnaire as soon as you comparatively neglected area of study year. Applications should be submitted completion of the facility. at higher education institutions credits during that time, you can. You can see results from of which little is known or has been by the end of February 2006 to secure SALT was officially opened in England, Wales and will be invited to complete the the 2003/04 survey for all UK recorded,” said Dr Rolph. The book is a place. For more information email on 10 November. See Northern Ireland. Of the 141 next National Student Survey higher education institutions, published by the British Institute of [email protected] or www.salt.ac.za eligible institutions, 131 are at the end of January 2006 including the OU, on the TQI Learning Disabilities, see www.bild.org.uk call 01908 858685. Spiral galaxy NGC6744 as seen by SALT Picture: © SALT 2005 by Margo Macnab included in the survey. Most online or by post. If you were website www.tqi.ac.uk 8 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 9 FIFTH COLUMN NEWS PEOPLE Keep it simple STUDYING with It’s dino-might the OU is supposed to be IKE Walley has been interested in paleontology since he was eight, accessible. So why but never imagined his interest in dinosaurs might one day earn him a do I find its living. methods of M The former chemicals industry marketing manager was studying for an OU MBA when communication he and partner Sue Judd, who was studying for the OU’s Professional Certificate in and dissemination Management, visited New York’s Museum of Natural History. “What blew us away were so bothersome? the reactions on the kids’ faces when they saw the giant dinosaurs by the entrance. We I’ve been with the OU for three wanted to do something that generated that same excitement about science,” he said. years, but it wasn’t until I studied a So was born Everything Dinosaur, an online store that has regular clients from all over journalism course with a different the world, selling what Mike describes as “fun, imaginative, creative and educational establishment that I realised how items” connected with prehistoric creatures. much simpler distance learning could “The great thing about all the OU’s business courses is that they teach you how be: one succinct introductory email; businesses are run,” said Mike. “Above all the MBA gives you confidence. I call the time collection of lessons online; swift I gave up my job to start Everything Dinosaur my Indiana Jones moment – when he’s submissions and retrievals of not sure if he’s going to make it to the other side of the ravine, he just makes a leap of assignments via my personal email faith.” account; and online tutorials with the Everything Dinosaur, based in Middlewich, Cheshire, is getting bigger and bigger. “I do option of a full transcript if you think the thing that attracts parents is the knowledge that we really want to help their missed it. kids learn,” added Mike. “Maybe one of them will end up doing an OU science course – all I’m not suggesting this approach because one day they saw something interesting and fun to do with dinosaurs. I hope so.” would be appropriate for the OU, For more details visit www.everythingdinosaur.com Sue and Mike with some of their dino-goods which is course based, not lesson based, but it can adopt some of this Advertisement modernity and effortlessness. Why are OU postal mailings so frequent and often long-winded? Why does my OU email account open Does Your English Let You Down? window after window every time I perform a new action? Why are there A SIMPLE technique for acquiring a For example, when you are present- the respect of people who matter, so many forums to follow: for my swift mastery of good English has just ing a report, training a child, fighting because you could learn how to use course; my tutor; my study area? been announced. It could double your for a cause, making a sale, writing an English accurately, impressively, inci- powers of self-expression. It could pay essay, or asking for a rise . . . your suc- sively — to cut through many barriers The OU has to start making more you real dividends in business and cess depends upon the words you use. to social, academic or business success. effective use of contemporary forms social advancement, and give you added of equipment, including audio and Yet thousands of talented, intelligent For your free copy of “Good English poise, self-confidence and personal people are held back because their pow- — the Language of Success”, and proof visual media formats, far advanced Sports study: OU effectiveness. ers of self-expression do not equal their that this unique home-study method from VHS and audiocassette tapes. Many people do not realise how much other abilities. really works, simply post the coupon Keep the non-technical options for they could influence others simply by But now the right words are yours to below — NOW. You have nothing to those who need them, but tailor for gets the ball rolling speaking and writing with greater command! A free booklet, “Good lose, not even a postage stamp, and you requirements; hi-tech options will power, authority and precision. English — the Language of Success”, may gain a great deal by sending for eventually be less of a strain on Whether in business, at social func- tells you all about a remarkable home- this free booklet. Just phone 0800 298 UR piece about putting more sport in one and foundation degree level. sesame will resources and be less environmentally tions, or even in casual conversation study Course which can give you a swift 7070 free or post the coupon below. Or wasteful. the OU curriculum provoked a huge keep you updated with further developments. with new acquaintances, you could mastery of good English in just 20 min- you can send an e-mail to: Provisions are still not innovative or Opostbag from readers – and nearly all Readers who missed the opportunity last time dominate each situation simply by utes a day. [email protected]. sophisticated enough for such a lithe were in favour. Your comments were among should contact Dick Skellington if they have using the right word in the right way. Free Booklet Coupon the evidence heard by OU academics who held any comments or suggestions regarding sport Never again need you fear those institution. WHAT THIS FREE BOOKLET embarrassing mistakes. You could To: Practical English Programme, (Dept. a sport forum at the OU’s Walton Hall at the OU. Email r.s.skellington @open.ac.uk or Natalie Gilbert is a Social Sciences quickly and easily be shown how to SSE75T), FREEPOST, Marple, headquarters on 4 November to discuss telephone him at the OU on +44 (0)1908 COULD SHOW YOU! student living in Oxford. ensure that everything you say and Stockport, SK6 6YA. How to stop making embarrassing Please send me your free “Good English” booklet. proposals for sports study at openings, level 274066. mistakes in English! write is crisp, clear, correct. Do you have a gripe or would like to share How to earn more—get a better job! NAME...... This amazing self-training method (Mr./Mrs./Miss) something interesting? Send us an article How to become a fluent conversation- can show you how to increase your ADDRESS...... of no more than 250 words to The Editor, alist and effective public speaker! Ordinary degree requirements correction vocabulary, speed up your reading, ...... sesame, The Open University, Walton Hall, How to increase your word power! enhance your powers of conversation, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA or email IN the story of Carys Swinger (sesame 227 page 8) we outlined the current requirements for a How to read faster and better! and tremendously improve your gram- ...... Postcode...... [email protected] Include contact degree without Honours and stated that at ‘least 180 points must be achieved at level 2 and at How to put punch into your writing! mar, writing and speaking — all in your POST TODAY OR CALL 0800 298 7070 FREE details and a daytime telephone number. How to pass English examinations! OR E-mail: [email protected] least 60 at level 3’. What we should have said is ‘at least 180 points must be achieved at level 2 spare time at home. with your name and postal address We pay £50 for each contribution used. How to develop self-confidence! or above and at least 60 at level 3’. Sorry for any confusion caused. What’s more, you could command No stamp needed in U.K. 10 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 11 LETTERS LETTERS

Is OU for young? the stereotype of the housewife, but would increase marginal unit However, please do not be 600 courses. There are essential degree guaranteed a significant sesame 227). I am in the same requirements sent to me for the yet practising a religion which costs and warehouse management tempted to rest on your laurels. quality assurance measures that go rise in income – but on this predicament myself having forthcoming postgraduate MEng OUR piece on support for young encourages one to learn and be costs – and we all know who pays While the accolade is, in my view, with the determination and issue of planet it certainly doesn’t. obtained a London medical degree I was most surprised to students (sesame 227) provoked a educated, and having a personal extra costs at the end of the day. well deserved much can still be course results on each course, and it The two awarding bodies that I degree in 1967, and being find, as an ‘old’ MEng student, is not possible to issue the results number of letters, here’s a sample. thirst for knowledge myself, the Being modern is good, and the done to further improve the level know of that do assist OU retired from the NHS am now that there is no major engineering in a shorter timescale than we OU was more than perfect. OU is modern in so many good of student satisfaction and some postgrad students are so short working towards a named degree project requirement that is currently do. I WAS interested to read that The OU deserves a round of ways. But going for a standard, of this can surely be learned of funding that unless you’re on a in Geosciences. essentially filled by the 60 credit the OU intends targeting school applause for being able to satisfy low-cost AV medium remains, at from the conventional universities benefit-level income they can’t The 1971 cut-off date seems point project module on the ‘old’ leavers. I must ask has the OU such diverse and complex needs. least for the moment, the best which lag behind the OU. help, which leaves people like very arbitrary and begs the undergraduate MEng, and other considered its role in providing a I HAVE just sat the examination Sadia Mahmood approach to permitting study for This is particularly the case myself, who are just on a low question as to whether there is comparable postgraduate well-trained workforce for the for the level 3 course AA314 West Yorkshire all. with regard to exam results; for income, to have to find full any scientific study showing that Masters degrees, usually MSc’s. future? Studies in music. Why, oh why Peter Culleton where other universities are able course fees ourselves. a 1970 degree is inferior to one There is only a 120 credit point Current Government policy is does the OU have this paranoia Budapest to report to students on exam The two modules I have obtained in 1972. overall achievement required for about collecting in question to encourage 50 per cent of success in a matter of two to completed (both only five I am pleased to say that the the new ‘postgraduate’ MEng Make haste slowly papers from all candidates at school leavers to take degree three weeks, OU students can months long) cost in the region General Medical Council while all other postgraduate the end of the examination? courses, regardless of the NUMEROUS letters that you wait up to nine or ten weeks. I of £1,400. I’ve had to cancel the recognises medical degrees masters need 180 credit points. Testing questions I would have appreciated student’s abilities or the needs have published in recent years find this a frustrating and course I wanted to do this winter obtained before 1971 otherwise Surely attainment standards are retaining mine if for no other of the employment market. The have requested that the OU IT’S exam time and you have a few unsatisfactory experience and (£630) due to lack of funds, and there would be a sudden loss of slipping, and the postgraduate questions for the examiners. reason that I could show it to result is likely to be a dumbing supply audio-visual (AV) material urge you to seek out ways of now I am having to seriously doctors aged about 58 and over diploma is the appropriate interested musical friends and, down of studies and the in digital format, requesting TV improving on this area of life for consider if I will have to cancel with a catastrophic depletion of quality assurance measure; even WHY doesn’t OUSA supply in the unfortunate event of my introduction of yet more courses programs on DVD rather than on students. next year’s course (£835) as well, medical services to the nation. if the MEng is a broadbased that have no relevance to the specimen answer papers for the having to resit the exam, it would tape. I am techie-savvy, and I too Kenneth Campbell which will make me worry about Colin Sykes rather than a more specialist workplace. exam papers it sells? It’s all very have been useful for revision would like this. Digital is possibly Motherwell getting my required study in Ulverston, Cumbria Masters. well working through old papers, purposes. I cannot conceive of The future for all universities even more environmentally within the defined deadlines for Kenneth Jones lies with employers sponsoring but unless you can compare your any risk to security or any friendly now than tape JENNY BULL, HEAD OF completion of a Masters degree. Mold graduates through relevant trial answers with actual ones, it is possibility of cheating. I later (production, packing, sending), EXAMINATIONS AND I believe it’s about time that Tutor’s e-allergy courses. Universities would be very difficult to improve. Besides realised that I could download and is definitely easier to ASSESSMENTS, REPLIES : postgrads got parity with other MARK ENDEAN, DIRECTOR OF turning out well-trained, reference. it would raise more money for the main text through my online I HAVE just completed A216 Art WE are acutely aware that all part-time students in the ENGINEERING, REPLIES: qualified employees meeting the However, I don’t ask the OU to OUSA. student record. and its histories. In my previous students want to have their course financial assistance stakes. THE standards for engineering market’s needs virtually from make this changeover too soon. Tim Fox Peter Highnett courses I have been able to email results as soon as possible after Clover Baker degrees are set by the UK the moment they leave school. Beckenham, Kent Alnwick, Northumberland It isn’t lowering teaching completing the assessment on their Cheltenham essays to my tutors and receive Engineering Council, see their UK- The OU already invites employer standards to supply AV material course. However, in the weeks a typed critique in return. SPEC (www.engc.org.uk/UKSPEC/). JENNY BULL REPLIES : sponsorship. Is this not the time on tape, but it is hugely increasing following the examinations and My tutor this year refused to The ‘old’ MEng degree did not meet for the OU to be selling itself to the target audience, i.e. making CONGRATULATIONS to the OU submission of end-of-course OU students sit examinations all Thank you receive work by email. Working the standard in force at the time employers, finding out from study available to all. on being ranked top for student assessments in October the over the world. As a result, it is not away from home I had to (SARTOR3) because it did not possible for all students on a given them what their employees need Offering the student a choice satisfaction in the recent and University determines the results of I WANT to write in praise and download my essays from laptop include a specific ‘group-working’ course to sit their examination at to learn, tailoring the OU courses of AV format would be good, first National Student Survey. over 100,000 students on more than thanks to The Open University. to disk, borrow a printer, fill in requirement. Anyone wishing to exactly the same time. Given the to future employment demands? My husband took an electrical complete a ‘new’ MEng degree will number of students studying form PT3, go to the Post Office, I am confident that as engineering degree after school get proof of postage etc. When have undertaken a 30-point overseas, there are concerns that individual project at undergraduate ‘traditional' universities increase STAR LETTER and national service, then the essay was returned I then the security of the question paper level and a 30-point postgraduate their fees and students question could be compromised if we did not became a patent attorney but he had to spend time trying to electronic communication understanding of our own project working as part of a team of the need to spend three or four Meeting of minds? collect it from all students at the always wished he could have decipher the tutor’s decidedly means that there is no physical mindsets and prejudices. students. This represents an years racking up debt, the OU end of their examination. The question studied history too. spidery handwriting. Should it I HAVE been a highly satisfied contact with other students. I I quite understand that there increase in the educational can provide a viable alternative. paper for most courses is made In his retirement he read for not be compulsory for tutors to standards for MEng. We are working student of The Open University fear that this encourages a may be difficulties for some But please don’t use this as an available via StudentHome shortly an Honours history degree with enter the 21st century? towards the new MEng being for many years and, like many paradigm of postgraduate students taking advantage of excuse to set up lengthy after the examination, although the OU. He enjoyed every minute James Hayes accredited by a number of others have thoroughly enjoyed research and study as an opportunities to meet others, there are reasons – for example popularist courses in the belief of his studies and got his degree. Teddington, Middlesex engineering institutions. Please see the beautifully prepared copyright restrictions – where we that is what students want. activity best conducted in and that others may actually He is terminally ill now and I the new engineering website at materials, the excellent course cannot do this on all courses. Mary Hayward splendid isolation. By that prefer not to spend time on am so happy he was able, through http://engineering.open.ac.uk/ for planning, and the continually stage we should, surely, be activities not directly related Taunton the existence of the dear OU, to QA for MEng more information and an explanation positive feedback from tutors. learning to give and take to their work. Nonetheless I am achieve his dream; to do what of the differences between MEng I think there must be a special criticism and understand how sure it should be possible to Postgrad poverty he’d really wanted to do for all ON RE-READING the new course and MSc degrees. place in heaven which makes fruitful other students’ ideas arrange some sort of assembly IN THE Autumn issue of sesame I WHILST I have every sympathy those years of his working life. OU tutors! and approaches could be, not for those students who are read that more and more under with the financial difficulties of Dorothy Pope I do, however, have anxieties just the expertise of our tutor. interested, and who could Please send your letters to: Letters to the Editor, sesame, 25s are choosing to study with undergraduate students, Middlesex about the OU approach to The relative formality of email thereby be encouraged to The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA. the OU. It is indeed brilliant and I postgraduate students are in the Fax: +44 (0) 1908 652247 Email: [email protected] postgraduate study. There is messages is not really flexible experience a real academic highly recommend it, having same predicament but are no problem with the materials, enough to convey the sorts of community, and not just a Include your address and daytime telephone number. We reserve the opted for it myself soon after I practically ignored as far as Doctors for life course design, or tutor queries and suggestions from virtual grouping. right to edit letters. left college at 18. financial assistance goes. I support, but unfortunately the other people which could Dr Jo Walsworth-Bell I TOTALLY sympathise with the £20 book token for published Star Letter Having wed at 18 and coming would like to live on the planet wholesale adoption of considerably enhance our Uppingham, Rutland plight of Avis Pearson (letters, £10 book token for published letters from a culture highly strung on where the completion of a first 12 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 13 PEOPLE PEOPLE Have books will travel Students at the final frontier U PhD student Melusine Colwell enjoyed her very own space AROLINE Buffery studied for her OU we went to Sussex, “I could study wherever I was. I had the odyssey when she was selected to attend a two-month summer session at the International Space University (ISU). degree in a horsebox as she toured the Wales, Northumbria – materials sent to my parents’ house and I’d O country as a New Age traveller. all over the place.” Melusine, a physics specialist who works in the OU’s Planetary and C call in there to pick them up” Space Sciences Research Institute, travelled to the University of But now Caroline has given up the road for It was at one of her a permanent address and hopes to use her stops, Worcester, in British Columbia in Vancouver, venue for this year’s session, as part BSc as a stepping stone to help her train as a 1993, that she first became interested in never got round to it. My dad kept of the ISU’s annual intake to develop the future leaders of the space lawyer. taking a degree and studied for a year at the suggesting I complete it and in the end we community. The curriculum included space science, space engineering, Caroline began her itinerant lifestyle after local college. “But I decided I didn’t like did a deal. He’s a photographer and I told systems engineering, space and society and even space law. she bought the vehicle “on tick from a couple Worcester so I hit the road again,” she said. him that if he got around to putting his of mates” 15 years ago, and joined a pictures on display, I’d finish my degree. And Space business travelling community. “I started in On the move he did.” Melusine joined students from Egypt, France and China to complete Gloucestershire, where my parents live, but “I always wanted to finish my degree but Caroline quickly discovered that the best an assignment formulating a proposal for a satellite that would fit way to study on the move was with the OU. into the International Space Agency’s weather satellite programme. Study and travel were a winning combination for Caroline Picture: Skye Brackpool “It was great,” she said. “I could study “We proposed a satellite which would use existing Global wherever I was. I had the materials sent to Positioning System (GPS) signals to detect the height of ocean Melusine (front row, right) with ISU classmates my parents’ house and I’d call in there to pick waves, which would then lead to a service for shipping companies to them up, but otherwise I could be anywhere. enable them to avoid stormy seas,” said Melusine. “I am very pleased dust flux monitor instrument on NASA’s space probe Stardust. “I And the courses were great. I started off to say that our team won the bid and we each received a small prize! learned so much about law and business concerned with space and doing some social policy, which interested “The whole experience broadened my perspective of space study,” life sciences. It's all excellent background when thinking about future me, and then I branched out.” added Melusine, who is in the third year of her PhD researching the space missions and how we can use space for the good of humanity.”

Settling down Becoming pregnant in 2000 gave Caroline a little less time to dedicate to her studies, but she still managed two 30-point history courses to keep her degree on track. Her m daughter is now five and it is for the sake of her education that, earlier this year, Caroline AMBITION reluctantly gave up her travelling lifestyle. “I miss the road,” she said. “But travelling Build on your accountancy skills was getting harder and harder. Years ago there was decent provision for travellers and and achieve your career vision there were loads of really big sites. Now you have to travel in smaller groups of two and three vehicles and you still have to move If you have the drive and ambition to become a Chartered every couple of days.” Management Accountant the CIMA Professional

Horsebox to house Qualification will ensure you develop a truly successful, But she’s hoping that settling in her new interesting and diverse career. permanent home in Hove, East Sussex, will Successfully completing the Open University Certificate in give her the chance to forge a career at the bar. “I did want to do a PGCE and become a Accounting will allow direct entry to the CIMA Professional teacher but the OU doesn’t do the specific Qualification. course I wanted. I have been doing a lot of work with the Community Law Partnership CIMA has been voted the ‘Best Student Body’ by readers and the lawyers I have worked with there of Pass magazine 2004. have given me references to help me get on a law conversion course. Now I’m very keen to get into the legal profession.” “I’m grateful to the OU for giving me the To find out how CIMA can power your career, go to opportunities I have. Staying at a permanent address, in a house, is a complete change of www.cimaglobal.com/ou or call +44 (0) 20 8849 2251. lifestyle and I’m still getting used to it. Mind you, I’ve still got the horsebox...” 14 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 15

TV TV

ore-processing mill at an altitude of 3,000 really are up late at night on Day Two, Sykes, looks at some of the therapy on offer metres, leaves the team far from spotless – preparing for Day Three. Sometimes there and the evidence for its effectiveness. TV tuition is a rough business in fact their challenges include building a is no time to try something out before it is Broadcasts are scheduled to start in January. washing machine from junk, producing soap filmed.” A new series of Child of Our Time begins T’S a big step from being out in front of a tutorial group to being geomorphology, the science of how our landscape has evolved. “I had from local plants and even manufacturing Academics like Hermione and Mike on BBC ONE in January. What makes a happy out in front of millions of TV viewers, but for OU associate fantastic facilities, a fully equipped lab and a beautiful office. But I their own deodorant. Bullivant, a former OU Chemistry Lecturer family? Why does an individual child develop Ilecturer Hermione Cockburn it’s all about getting her subject was lonely. The most enjoyable side of my work was giving lectures But even body odour does nothing to dent whose popular series The Chemistry of in a particular way? Presenter Sir Robert across. and research presentations.” the camaraderie of the team, Almost Everything paved the way for shows Winston tries to find answers to these Hermione, an earth scientist who tutors S216 Environmental Deciding her strengths lay in communication and presentation, which is a part of the series’ appeal. “There is like Rough Science, are a far cry from the questions as the millennium children turn six. science students in , is the new face on what is probably Hermione entered for a BBC talent competition, Science on Screen, no competition between us, even when the traditional lecturer with blackboard. But History Mysteries is a new series for the Open University’s most popular, and among its longest-running, in 2002, and won. Since then she has landed a number of media roles: three of us were making different Rough Science, which has had audience daytime BBC TWO, investigating some of the TV series, Rough Science. presenting science on Radio 4, as specialist contributor on BBC deodorants, we were very keen to play figures running into millions, proves it is unsolved puzzles of the past. It’s due to be Throughout November and December BBC TWO viewers will be Scotland’s Time Flyer and currently as presenter of Resource Review down the competitive element. We talk possible to make popular, eye-catching TV broadcast in January/February. following Hermione’s exploits as she and fellow on Teachers TV. Her big break, though, came things through with the others, and if with serious educational content. Wouldn’t Unravelling their family secrets proves a scientists Mike Bullivant (who also revealed his “For me it represents exactly the when she was chosen as a co-presenter someone is filming the others who are it be nice if the media stars of the future painful but exhilarating journey for the talent as a TV presenter while working for the type of media work I want to do. alongside Adam Hart-Davis on the OU/BBC listening may make suggestions,” says turned out to be academics? individuals in Family Ties, scheduled to start OU), Jonathan Hare and Ellen McCallie race, It is making science accessible” TWO series What the Ancients Did for Us. But Hermione. The new series of Rough Science is on BBC FOUR in January. sweat and laugh their way through a series of Rough Science, she says, has been something The lack of competition is one example of currently on BBC TWO at 7pm on And a new series of the Mark Steel science survival challenges among the spectacular peaks of of a “Holy Grail” for her. why Rough Science stands out from the Wednesdays. Check listings for details. Lectures, featuring the comedian’s Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. “Rough Science stands out as one of the best science series on TV. crowd – it is not contrived, said Hermione. irreverent take on distinguished figures Filming the sixth series of the popular science show has been like a It is fun, it is a challenge. There is a tremendous focus on getting the Although the scientists do have an inkling of Programmes for 2006 of history, is due to start on BBC FOUR dream come true for Hermione, who shunned the ivory towers of science right. the challenges they face before filming There are several other OU/BBC (with repeats on BBC TWO) in March next academia in favour of a career communicating her passion for “For me it represents exactly the kind of media work I want to do. starts, nothing is tested in advance. “Each programmes to look out for in the New Year. year. science to the rest of the world. It is making science accessible. I am not in it for the hair and programme is filmed over three days and Does Alternative Medicine really work? a Please check listings as scheduled start “I was doing post-doctoral research at the University of make-up.” they are absolutely packed,” she said. “You new series on BBC TWO, presented by Kathy dates are liable to change at short notice.

Melbourne,” said Hermione, whose specialist subject is Which is just as well, as the latest Rough Science, filmed in a old Rough and ready: (l to r) Mike, Jonathan, Kate, Hermione and Ellen

 16 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 17 SUPPORT LearnLearn fromfrom thethe “World’s“World’s GreatestGreatest Get the inside information LanguageLanguage Teacher”Teacher” “Learning Spanish with Michel was the most extraordinary Choosing a course can be a leap in the dark – things don’t always turn out to be what you expected. learning experience of my life – it was unforgettable” Ormond Simpson reveals how you can put some flesh on the bare bones of the official course description Emma Thompson in the Guardian

For the first time ever, Michel Thomas, language teacher to the stars, HIS year I met a student who was taking both A214 discussing course choice. Maybe you'll find someone who knows has made his revolutionary teaching method available to everyone. Understanding music and TA225 The technology of music. As an about your intended course – or maybe even someone who’d like to These all-audio courses make language learning effortless: Taccomplished musician she’d expected to enjoy A214 and to study it at the same time as you. have to struggle with TA225. In fact she discovered that she didn't Q Taster packs • No books • No memorising really like the amount of Bach in A214 which proved to be hard going, Some courses have taster packs where you can get a feel for the • No writing • JUST CONFIDENCE – IN HOURS and she enjoyed the stuff about Midi and MP3 in TA225 more than content and maybe see what a TMA looks like. Check the faculty she’d expected. “So Bach was worse than Bytes?” I enquired – she gave website or ask your regional centre. Relax and let Michel give you a functional working knowledge of a me a cold look. language in just hours! You can learn anywhere: Q Diagnostic quizzes It’s worth taking a little time to try to ensure that the course you’re Some courses have diagnostic quizzes which will help you decide • In the car • Relaxing at home thinking of taking is what you expect, and there are a number of whether you're ready for the course. Again check with your regional • On holiday • Even in the bath! sources of information. centre. Q Students’ views Let the world’s greatest language teacher give you the confidence Q Course choice meetings to speak today! Try the course views website www3.open.ac.uk/coursereviews/ where There are local meetings aimed at course choice where you can you’ll find comments on courses from students who’ve taken the discuss your choice with an adviser – contact your regional centre. course you’re interested in – real horse’s mouth stuff… Ask your ❖ SPECIAL OFFER PRICES BELOW ❖ regional centre for a paper copy of the comments for your course if So there are several ways to check out your intended course – see you don’t have web access. what helps you the most. And maybe you’ll find that for you Bach is Q FirstClass Course Choice Fair better than Bytes… Go to the ‘Course Choice Fair’ in FirstClass (OU Symbol > Campus Map Ormond Simpson is a Senior Lecturer in Institutional Research in > Info Centre > Advice > Course Choice Fair) where you’ll find students the OU’s Institute of Educational Technology

Choice is fine, but you may have some urgent questions before you commit yourself

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Fill in the form and post it to: Champs-Elysées, Michel Thomas Offer, I enclose a cheque made payable to Champs-Elysées Ltd for the sum FREEPOST, Lon 295 Bristol, BS1 6FA of: Yes, I would like to order (please tick the box): £______The Michel Thomas Beginners 8-hour course in: Please charge my credit/debit/Switch/Amex card no. French ■ German ■ Italian ■ Spanish ■ CD ■ TAPE ■ ______

at the special Champs-Elysées price of £60 (RRP £70) EXPIRY DATE ______SWITCH ISSUE NO.______

SIGNATURE ______The Michel Thomas Advanced 5-hour course in: Delivery address: French ■ German ■ Italian ■ Spanish ■ CD ■ TAPE ■ TITLE FIRST NAME at the special Champs-Elysées price of £40 (RRP £50) SURNAME The Michel Thomas 2-hour Language Builder in: ADDRESS French ■ German ■ Italian ■ Spanish ■ CD ■ TAPE ■ at the special Champs-Elysées price of £15 (RRP £20) POSTCODE TELEPHONE Please apply P&P charges of £1.50 per item, and allow up to 14 days for delivery. Please apply P&P charges of £4.00 per item for any shipping address outside the UK. EMAIL

❑ If you do not wish to receive mailings of offers or services from other companies carefully selected by Champs-Elysées, please tick this box. MEDIA REF: MTOU1 18 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 19

FEATURE FEATURE

football career with Manchester United, Manchester City, Rochdale and the North American Soccer League (NASL). During that time, he played with and against some of the greatest footballers of Seeking out Busby’s Babes all time. “Throughout my playing career I always had an active mind,” said Tony. “My main passion then was history and I used to sneak books Footballer Tony Whelan has written a book about a golden era in the history of Manchester United. He on the plane and hide them from my team mates because I wasn’t tells Sheila Forman how the OU helped him do it sure how they’d react. Friends were always saying to me that I should read for a degree at university, but I didn’t think this was an attainable goal for someone without traditional qualifications. T was a snowbound afternoon in 1958 when a British European socialism and his approach to the care of his players, but illustrates Airways Elizabethan plane hit Munich airport’s perimeter fence the system of scouts, coaches and trainers that made Manchester Degree Iduring its third attempt at take-off, resulting in the deaths of 21 United a prototype for the youth systems of today. The emergence When he stopped playing football Tony embarked on a second career people, among them eight members of the Manchester United of the Busby Babes was a social as much as a sporting phenomenon. as an educational welfare officer for his local authority where he got ‘Busby Babes,’ flying home in triumph after their success in the Not only did these young players receive expert football training, his hands on an Open University prospectus. quarter-finals of the European Cup. they were treated as part of “Given that I had a job, family commitments and also coached Open University graduate Tony Whelan, a former professional a family, to them “I used to sneak books part-time the OU seemed ideal,” he said. He claims that he only ever footballer and now Manchester United Youth Team Manager, was just Manchester United became on the plane and hide them really intended to do one course, the arts foundation: “That first six years old at the time. He was totally unaware that nearly 50 years a ‘home away from home’. from my team mates” course gave me so much confidence, I took my books everywhere later his MA thesis would lead to the publication of his first book, Tony says he would never with me, my daughter’s dance classes, son’s cricket, the swimming The Birth of the Babes, based on Manchester United Football Club’s have had the confidence to write the book if it hadn’t been for his OU baths, everywhere, I was hooked.” visionary youth policy which was responsible for the success of this study. On leaving school in 1968 at the age of 15 with no formal He secured his BA in 1994 after eight years of study. The youthful, yet experienced, team. educational qualifications, Tony joined Manchester United Football Professional Football Association (PFA) has a fund that ex-players Club as an apprentice professional footballer, having been spotted can tap into. They paid two-third of his fees and also paid for his Family of Man U by their talent scout while playing for his local team. He signed full books as well. “I was not on a big wage as a social worker, married In his book Tony not only examines the roots of Matt Busby’s professional in December 1969 and went on to enjoy a 16-year with two kids growing up, money was tight so I’m extremely grateful to the PFA,” said Tony. In 1990 Manchester United Manager Brian Kidd invited Tony to coach at the club’s Centre of Excellence. After coaching sessions Tony would sit in the bath with his coaching mate, who was Henley is the name on the also a former player. “He used to tell stories about what it used to be UK’s favourite range of like when he was a young kid at the club and I was fascinated. One day I said to him, this is an important part of history, someone should Tony Whelan: “I always had an active mind” © John Peters personal office buildings. write it down.” His mate just happened to be Nobby Stiles, OBE and member of the victorious 1966 World Cup Team. “Nobby just said to items are now in the Manchester United Museum or are being Not surprisingly, Henley owners enjoy a better me, ‘Well write it down then’, and I thought, why not”? properly catalogued and stored by their owners. work-life balance. Liberated from the commuting Tony believes he could never have done any of this without the OU. my treadmill, they’re happier working from home. But in a separate building in the garden, free Saved for posterity “I owe The Open University a debt of gratitude,” he said. “It is such a henley of household distractions, they’re also far more Tony did his research with Manchester Metropolitan University, unique experience and only the people who have done it understand. productive. Comfortable, professional and secure. as at that time the OU were only offering taught MAs. It wasn’t until It gave me the opportunity to study areas that I would never have Whatever the British climate delivers. after his thesis was complete that Tony thought of turning it into a studied.” No matter which Henley you select, it comes with book. “I was keen on the idea to publish it mainly because some of electrics, lighting and double-glazing ready-fitted. the lads who died in Munich are mentioned in the book and there are Proud Prices start from under £6,000, while foundations and planning permission are rarely required. Even better, a lot of relatives and fans who I know would be interested to “People I sat next to at school would never believe that Whelan could our installation team will erect your Henley in a read it. There is also a lot of history that is not written down get a degree, let alone an MA. I just wasn’t ready at 15,” he said. single day. about that period and hopefully I have bridged Tony is currently Deputy Assistant Academy “I owe The Open University a debt As well as a London showroom at Islington’s Business the gap a little bit,” he said. Manager at the Manchester United football Design Centre, we have a growing list of regional During his research Tony spoke to many of gratitude. It is such a unique Youth Academy. Many famous names have stockists, making it easier to take a closer look at people from the era, including: Bill Foulkes, experience and only the people come up through the academy system during our superb buildings. Just call us for details or visit our Munich survivor and a legend of the club; Wilf Tony’s time there. Players such as David website. You could be working from your own Henley who have done it understand” sooner than you think. McGuinness former manager/player and Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, coach, and Albert Scanlon, another Munich survivor. He also writes Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Wes Brown to name but a few. Bolton - Cambridge - Cardiff - Chesterfield - Chippenham - about two of the most famous graduates of the system: Duncan Talking of his OU graduation ceremony Tony says: “I don’t know Croydon - Enfield - Hailsham - Islington - Leeds - Norwich - Northampton - Sevenoaks - Sidcup - Solihull - Stowmarket - Edwards, who died from his injuries 10 days after the crash; whether I was more proud to play for United and City first teams or Sudbury - Wanstead - Weybridge - Wisbech and Bobby Charlton who survived. “The fact that I’m a former to turn up at my OU graduation day at Preston, and pick up my Manchester United player made it easier for me to get to talk to degree with my wife and family, who had been so supportive through Call 0800 316 8586 (24 hours) people,” he said. all those years of study.” or visit www.henleyoffices.com Tony was astounded by some of the artefacts and memorabilia The Birth of the Babes, Manchester United Youth Policy that the people he spoke with dug out. He was shown programmes 1950–1957 by Tony Whelan, foreword by Sir Alex Ferguson, preface Comfortable • Professional • Secure from the 1968 cup final, letters from Sir Alf Ramsey, photographs by Cliff Butler, published by Empire Publications, price £12.95, ISBN: that had never been published before. Thanks to Tony some of these 190174663. 20 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 21

SURVEY SURVEY

“It would be great to hear ideas about how projects” and “details of how to get involved of the examination sessions” would be useful students might meet up.” in projects.” and perhaps “some intelligent analysis of the “I would greatly appreciate more information “Perhaps it might be possible to have news results would be more valuable than a simple Results of sesame’s about local OU student social organisations, from particular faculties – I like to feel up to listing”. societies and events, both in the UK and date with what's going on in my ‘area’. ” “It’d be good to have more light overseas.” “I enjoy research news from other faculties.” entertainment” – “crosswords (non-cryptic!), READER SURVEY “As the OU prides itself on creating a global “I would not like to see the magazine turn quizzes, puzzles and competitions”, student community, it would be nice to see into a general topics magazine – the reason I “something comical” and “please bring back some of the global community reflected in enjoy it so much is it is exclusively related to the cartoons”. “It's great to have something Thank you everyone for taking part in our reader survey – we received nearly 2,000 responses! This is sesame.” the OU and there’s no value in covering to take the mind off one’s studies!” your magazine and we are striving to make it as interesting and accessible as possible, so we need to “I always find articles on current OU material that’s already available elsewhere.” “I have to spend too much time in front of the know what you like (or don’t) research activities and achievements very “I like to see the course results tables, computer as it is. It’s a nice change to have exciting.” including broad information on numbers the magazine to read, when and where I doing courses, drop-out rates.” choose.” What you like an electronic newsletter and we will be introducing this facility for “It would be great to have more articles from IRST, we asked how you use sesame and were happy to find those who want it in the New Year. Look out for details on FirstClass. department heads involved in research “Widening coverage to all courses and both Report compiled by Graeme Ginsberg that more than three-quarters (81 per cent) of those Use of the OU Life Screensaver is ‘frequent’ in under half of OU Fresponding to the survey read most, or all, of it. students who participated in the survey. New software, developed There are currently four issues of sesame each year, which seems using feedback from Screensaver users, was introduced in to be the right frequency according to your responses. We gave the November. The software eliminates two of the most frequently publication a massive overhaul at the end of last year and we’re reported user frustrations: it will now be possible to click on the links happy to hear that you find the magazine size more convenient and provided on the pages; and you will be able to scroll manually through the new design more accessible and inviting. slides instead of having to wait for those you are interested in to roll The Letters and Courses sections are the most keenly read parts by again. We hope this greater functionality and interactivity will see of the magazine – 85 per cent found Letters ‘interesting’ (3 on the the number of users rise from the existing 23,000. If there are survey scale) or ‘very interesting’ (4), 88 per cent said the same for features that you would like to see in a future redevelopment of Courses. Without your views, we cannot know what you are enjoying the Screensaver, please send your comments to and what you think might need changing so please keep those letters [email protected] or phone +44 (0)1908 653636. coming! We also welcome stories about how you are getting on with Once again, many thanks to those who took the time to your studies; your experiences are very helpful, not only for your complete our survey. We take your views very seriously and we will fellow students, but for the lecturers and administrators who be continuing to incorporate your recommendations into our develop, teach and run the OU’s courses. ongoing programme to make sesame as interesting and useful as Seventy-two per cent said they would like to see more possible. The winner of the Survey prize draw is J.A. Bakker, who contributions by students. We would be interested in hearing from gets a three-night break for two in Cornwall courtesy of students who think they could write a regular column for sesame. If Travelsmith. And finally, here’s a selection of your comments and you think you could write for the magazine, please send your details suggestions. and examples of your writing to us at [email protected], entitle your email ‘Writers’. What you said Eighty-eight per cent said they would like comprehensive “I really enjoy reading sesame – it makes me feel part of the OU information about new courses. sesame is planning to extend its family and, often, proud to be an OU student.” course coverage with a special 2006 ‘new courses’ supplement, which “Hearing about how becoming an OU student has dramatically we plan to mail out with the Spring 2006 issue, and which will list all changed people’s lives [and] how people have overcome difficulties new undergraduate and postgraduate courses. In the meantime, for an to further their studies... would help students realise that there are ongoing review of new courses, you can go to www.open.ac.uk/courses others out there in the same position.” on the OU website; click on Search Courses & Qualifications, then “I would very much value practical information about studying – scroll down until you get to the NEW button. research methods, computer techniques”, “tips for writing good essays”, “pointers about how to make academic arguments” and Could do better “exam and revision advice”. “Many students are put off reading the Your survey responses indicate that the online service sesame eXtra OU and study support books as their workload is already very heavy.” (www.open.ac.uk/sesame/) has not been well publicised, although we are pleased to hear that many of those who were aware of it have “I would like to hear students’ reasons for choosing particular been finding it useful. We have been reviewing the design and courses, how they got on” and “how they have used their new content of the website for a major relaunch in the New Year. qualifications, either to advance their career or within a whole new Please note that we have no intention of phasing out the core, career structure.” paper version of sesame – sesame eXtra is simply a way for us to “It would be good also to read articles written by tutors about their provide our readers with more flexibility and convenience. Electronic backgrounds, the courses they teach and career opportunities they publishing does have well-recognised benefits, particularly in terms feel might be available afterwards.” of immediacy, and we are hoping that sesame eXtra will increasingly “A good number of us are out in the community working away and be able to offer content and facilities that complement the printed sesame gives me the opportunity to see the OU from a wider version. Meanwhile, the survey has revealed considerable demand for perspective.” Picture: Getty Images 22 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 23 SUPPORT SUPPORT More exam feedback OU Angels New web pages giving students more information on their examination performance have been developed. The university’s Student Services department explains The OU Centre for Education in Medicine’s research programmes are highly valued by the medical TUDENTS on most courses will be able How does the system work? However, most of these courses already profession and the government, so much so that the to get feedback on their performance You will need to have access to your OU provide some form of feedback. Centre’s work is now influencing the structure of health Sin exams held at the end of this year. StudentHome page at www.open.ac.uk/ provision in the UK. Peter Taylor-Whiffen reports Ideally, the university would provide detailed students If there is a Performance Profile for What information will be available? individual feedback to all students on their you to view, a link will be displayed The Examination and Assessment Board for OCTORS’ training is being highly valued that they will impact examination. However, this is not feasible for immediately below your course result. each course is responsible for the content of completely revolutionised in on the future of how overseas an institution of the size of The Open Clicking on the link will take you directly to the Performance Profile, so the amount of a major shake-up of doctors work in Britain, prompt University. So a system has been developed the Performance Profile system. information available to students may vary D education in medicine, with the improved training in radiology and which makes use of the score information Performance Profiles will only remain from course to course. Each board has the recorded by the examiners for each student’s available for viewing for 28 days so if you significant input of The Open histopathology, and lead to more option to provide its students with script, and presents it on a personalised wish to keep a copy, either print it off or save University. The restructuring effective quality assurance of information about: their own performance in Performance Profile web page, linked to the page. The profiles are not available in programme, Modernising Medical training for junior doctors. the examination as a whole; their own their OU StudentHome page. The Profile hard copy, and are not available after the Careers, affects every NHS Trust “We’re proud to make such a performance on each question (or group of should be available as soon as you are 28-day period has ended. and general practice involved in contribution,” said team leader questions) answered; and how performance able to access your course result via training in England and Wales, and Professor Janet Grant, who is the at examination and question level varied StudentHome. Which courses aren’t included? will enable junior doctors to enter OU’s Professor of Education in The system was piloted on a small number Level 2 and 3 language courses and modules across all students who sat the examination specialist training much earlier in Medicine. of courses from the July examination period, within the Accountancy programme have so that you can see how you did relative to their careers. OUCEM’s research covers such and will be implemented for most of the particular features that have prevented everyone else. Boards may also provide a But involvement in the wide-ranging aspects of courses which have exams at the end of this them from being included in this initial brief ‘free-text’ report on relevant aspects of foundations for such monumental postgraduate medical education as year. It has not been possible to link all implementation, but work is in hand to allow the examination. changes in medical education are design, delivery, management, courses to the system this time round, but them to be included in future. The system is For more information about Performance nothing new for the OU’s Centre for organisation, funding, workforce the university expects to be able to make it also not yet available for courses which have Profiles, including some sample screenshots, Education in Medicine, which is issues and quality assurance. It much more widely available within the next a project, end-of-course assessment or visit the university’s Assessment website at regularly commissioned by produces materials and publications six months. dissertation instead of an examination. www.open.ac.uk/assessment government to evaluate its ideas and to support medical teachers, doctors help put its thinking into practice. in training and managers in work and Its research programmes are so training environments. £4 million to make room for Moodle

The university has embarked on a £4million programme to develop its students to customise their OU home pages to provide the learning Diverse routes to Higher Education VLE – Virtual Learning Environment. OU students are accessing many tools most useful to them. learning materials online and are increasingly using the web for The three-year VLE Programme will have an impact on almost every REFUGEES and asylum seekers are among black and ethnic who have settled in Scotland, as well as new migrants, are known activities such as registering for courses, communicating with the aspect of the university's business, from planning how new courses minority groups targeted by a new OU-led information pack and formally as the Diverse Routes To Higher Education Project. The pack university and with each other, submitting assignments and checking will be delivered online to producing e-portfolios of students’ work. website designed to attract more students to higher education in will give generic information about “what Higher Education can do for their exam results. Niall Sclater, the Programme Director, said: Scotland. you” including financial support, credit transfer, professional The new system should be fully operational for February 2007 “The virtual learning environment is increasingly important to OU The initiatives are designed to alert adults from a diversity of development, and routes into higher education and ESOL (English for courses, and will see the largest use of the Open Source software students who are finding the internet invaluable for learning, ethnic backgrounds to the possibilities Speakers of Other Languages) courses. package Moodle in the world. Moodle is a freely available course communication, research and almost every other aspect of their of study, through information which will “After all, we don’t want The pack and website will be management system used by educators to create online learning studies. We have embarked on a major programme to give students include an overview in their first refugee teachers cleaning tables disseminated in spring 2006 through a communities. At present, you might start off at StudentHome, then go the best possible online learning experience.” language. at McDonald’s” series of workshops/day schools for into FirstClass to take part in a discussion, exit to the Library’s web The pack will complement the work of those who work with minority ethnic pages to search for a book and later submit an assignment using Advantage the Scottish Refugee Council, New Roots Scotland (which focuses on groups and potential students. “This is an OU pack and an OU website, OpenMark. You could end up using 20 or 30 different systems without Dean Taylor, the programme manager of the OU’s VLE, added: “We see work placement for refugees and asylum seekers) and initiatives such but it has involved a large amount of collaboration with other knowing it during the course of your studies. the development of Moodle applications, along with involvement of as the Scottish Executive’s Fresh Talent policy to encourage the educational institutions and support agencies within the regional the Moodle Open Source community, as giving our students a great integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland through forums,” said Dr Lindsay Hewitt, Windening Participation Co-ordinator Seamless virtual environment advantage in e-learning. Plus, the innovations added by the OU will be education, employment, enterprise and training. for the OU in Scotland, who will officially launch the initiatives early The VLE Programme will link all these together in a single, seamless available to the entire Moodle community. It’s a two-way creative next year. interface and add new features, such as online interactive calendars. street.” Support “After all, we don’t want refugee teachers cleaning tables at Everyone likes to work in different ways, so the aim is to allow For more information see http://moodle.org/ The initiatives, which will be aimed at black and minority ethnic people McDonald’s.” 24 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 COMMUNITY COMMUNITY FROM MINOR TO MAJOR EDUCATION

From ex-mining areas to Muslim communities the OU's Wider Participation Projects have make a hugely positive difference to people's lives in Yorkshire, Peter Taylor-Whiffen reports

F your dad was a miner, and his dad was a miner, and his dad was a “In this area of the country only about miner, higher education doesn't tend to loom large in your 20 per cent of school pupils currently Ithoughts. You might reasonably expect to have your career pretty progress to higher education” much mapped out. However, the pre-emptive closure of Britain's coalmines and the “I work with a group of people from HE institutions across the downturn of its other once proud industries forced many people to region collaborating to provide information and guidance about the do what had seemed less than a generation ago to be unthinkable – full range of HE opportunities available,” said Rebecca. “We don’t just find another way to earn a living. talk to prospective students, but also to anyone helping them plan In many cases this has meant retraining – and many have turned their future – such as school staff careers advisors, employers.” their bitter experience into an opportunity to learn something new, Her advice often comes as a revelation, even to HE and careers thanks to The Open University. advisers. “The OU is often not seen as a local option,” she said. One of the challenges of the OU’s Widening Participation Projects “Prospective students and those advising them have a view of it as a is convincing prospective students of the value of an academic distance learning option but don’t realise they can have tutorials at education they never thought they’d need. But Nick Berry, regional local colleges and meet fellow students who are local. We’re changing director of a team running a huge variety of initiatives across that.” Yorkshire, says the message is getting through. And part of her remit is impartiality – which means there are “Widening participation is a long-term project because some of the instances where she is trying to get someone into HE, but not work we’re doing is about changing mindsets,” he said. “In some parts necessarily through the OU. “All the Aimhigher staff, although we of this region lads grew up expecting to go down the pit, because come from our own HE institutions, give impartial advice and talk to that’s what their father and grandfather did. Now the pits are gone, each individual student about the HE option that is best for them. but because they were always there, people need a bit of time to see When it seems it would suit them better to go to a bricks and mortar the alternatives.” university, I’ll tell them that – but I make sure the OU is presented equally alongside all the other options.” Opportunities Richard Kemp has the same role in South Yorkshire. “We represent In North Yorkshire the OU, along with other educational institutions, is helping people living in rural areas to access higher education And there are opportunities for retraining and rebuilding lives are HE rather than just the OU, giving general and specific advice and largest county and more than 90 per cent is sparsely populated,” said and SureStart workers within a predominantly Muslim area of there – and the OU is showing the way. ensuring those who advise prospective students are giving them Jane Pinner, who also works with Aimhigher to provide impartial Halifax. “I refer parents and other interested Asian learners to OU “There used to be a lot of work in Yorkshire that didn’t require up-to-date information,” he said. advice for adult learners. “Somebody may be very keen to study a study as part of the university’s Understanding and Increasing higher education,” said Rebecca Moore, who is employed by the OU to “We do this with information events, full-day events, workshops course at a college, but in rural areas it Diversity Project,” she said. “Most work alongside other higher education institutions in West Yorkshire, and one-to-one meetings which cover subjects including HE finance can be hard to find enough people to women in these communities historically under the government’s Aimhigher initiative. “In this area of the and application procedures. The project is for learners aged 13 to 30 “In rural areas it can be hard make a course viable, so there is often have had to leave school to marry and county only about 20 per cent of school pupils currently progress to but most of it is aimed at those 19-plus. to find enough people to make isn’t the choice. That’s where the OU have children, but they are very keen higher education. It’s not that much lower than the national average, “We’re working towards a change of mindset. This region has a very a course viable” offers an alternative.” to study, and SureStart is able to but it is lower, and there are pockets, such as Leeds, Bradford and low history of progression to higher education. Parents can be Jane chairs Scarborough IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) fund them.” Wakefield, where it’s lower still. Historically people didn't go to reluctant to encourage their children in this direction and students Network and works with similar bodies across the country to Some of the new students are so enthusiastic about their university because they simply didn't need to.” can be reluctant to travel.” But in a world where higher education is valued more highly by promote learning opportunities and share information. Organisations new-found learning possibilities that they are now promoting the OU. such as education and training providers, libraries, the voluntary and As you’d expect from any widening participation projects, there are employers than ever before, academic achievement, or at least the Promoting the message business sectors, and Connexions are represented. “It’s a two-way targets for raising the number of people entering higher education. application to it, is increasingly the key to finding a decent job. And He said promoting the message with other HE providers worked well process,” she said. “We make sure that they’re getting up-to-date For example, Aimhigher’s goal, set in 2004, was to increase because most people simply do not think of “jobs for life”, such for the OU. “We have good links with the other institutions involved in information, but I'm also looking at existing programmes to see if OU participation in higher education by five per cent over the next five qualifications are a valuable tool to help those in the job market to HE in this area – Sheffield University, Sheffield Hallam University, courses can plug into them, as a form of progression.” years. climb ever higher up the ladder. Doncaster College, Rotherham College of Art and Technology and the And it’s not just schoolchildren and those who have had to rethink Yorkshire is only one area where the OU is helping to bring more Through Aimhigher and the OU’s Widening Participation Project, local careers service. Sheffield University wrote us a brochure their careers that the OU is helping in Yorkshire. In Halifax, Ann Milne people into higher education. The OU’s widening particpation Rebecca gives presentations and works one-to-one to show (Pathways to Higher Education for Adult Learners).” has forged links with one of the local initiatives promoted by the programme is currently running across the UK in places such as prospective learners from 13-30 how they could get into higher In North Yorkshire, the challenge is helping people to access higher government’s SureStart scheme. Belfast, Blackburn, Nottingham, the east end of London, education and which courses and ways of learning would be right for education in one of the country’s most rural areas. “This is England’s them. This project has opened up the possibility of OU study to parents Stockton-on-Tees and Scotland. 26 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 27

More courses online at TV www.open.ac.uk/courses COURSES A fly on the wall Gifts of

The Open University is working with the BBC on Sir David Attenborough’s current TV series, Life in the the Greeks Undergrowth. John Windell talks to Sir David about filming the creepy crawlies that hold together the web of life If you haven’t chosen your course for next year, it’s F HUMAN beings were suddenly wiped off the Earth – well, the still not too late. In the next three pages sesame Earth could carry on very nicely without us, thank you. Probably looks at a selection of new courses coming on without the mammals too. It’s the invertebrates (literally, the I stream in 2006, starting with the classical world creatures without backbones) that keep things ticking over. “If you lost ants and millipedes and earthworms, the ecosystems would collapse before you knew where you were,” explained Sir HE ACHIEVEMENTS of the Romans and the Ancient Greeks David Attenborough, whose new series uncovers the hidden continue to have an enormous influence in the modern world – a lives of these little creatures which too often inspire fear and Tfact evidenced in a fascinating new OU course. revulsion in us. A219 Exploring the classical world covers topics as varied as poetry, “They pollinate the flowers, they provide food for a great number drama, history writing, art, architecture, archaeology, inscriptions and of vertebrates (reptiles and mammals and so on), they fertilise the philosophy to build a picture of what made particular places and times soil, they turn over the soil, they get rid of dung, they are the basic culturally distinctive. foundations,” said Sir David. After a broad introduction to the periods, the four main blocks of Over the last 20 years Sir David has made TV series about birds, study begin with Homer and the Greek Dark Age, which draws from the mammals, the oceans, plants, fossils and man. So why has it taken so Iliad and the Odyssey to build up a picture of Homeric society. long to get round to the invertebrates? Because, he says, they are Students then move on to Classical Athens, looking at the city in the hard to film. fifth century BCE through four sources: Aeschylus’ tragedy The Persians, arts and buildings on the Acropolis, oratory and Aristophanes’ Fascinating sights comedy Lysistrata. “If you are trying to get any depth of focus on, say, a spider, you may The second half of the course focuses on the Roman Republic, have to throw so much light on it that you fry the poor thing. You beginning with the physical remains of Greek colonisation of southern certainly don’t allow it to behave in a normal fashion. But new optical Italy, before exploring the power and politics of Rome and how gear enables us to film them better than we’ve ever done before.” literature contributed to a distinctive Roman culture. At the end of each of the series’ five programmes, there is a The final block explores Rome’s social history – what daily and 10-minute section, co-produced by the OU, which explains how some family life was like, as seen through the letters of Pliny the Younger, of the amazing images were captured. Cicero and Seneca. Emerging butterflies, courting damsel flies, ants milking aphids For further details visit www.open.ac.uk/courses and key in A219. and what earwigs get up to at night, are just a few of the fascinating sights uncovered by the hi-tech cameras. And it's fascination that is the key to Sir David's extraordinarily successful approach to making wildlife programmes over the last 50 NEW CORE COURSE FOR ICT FOUNDATION DEGREE years. “The reason I make natural history programmes is because I am HOW does an email reach the other side of said Karen Kear, a lecturer in the OU’s ICT everything about it,” said Karen. “T175 takes fascinated by the natural world. I think for a lot of people one of the the world in seconds? How are we able to department. “The course looks at how such a broader view of the technology and great pleasures of being alive is trying to find out about the natural access the internet through a wireless communication works, and at how it affects includes less of the historical element. world and understanding the way it works,” he said. computer? How are we able to see news our lives – the health service, road There’s a lot of computer-based work and events on television as they happen? And charging, shopping. The technical and social some of the teaching is via a website, but Subtle approach where will this technology take us next? issues of networking are equally relevant to T175 is not principally an online course the It’s also the key to Sir David's subtle approach to conveying These are the themes of a new 30-point T175.” way T171 was.” environmental messages to the viewer. “My own view is that it would course about the nature and development T175, which offers a choice of February For more details visit http://T175.open. be a disaster if every natural history programme was a conservation of ICT in our homes, work and public and October start dates, replaces the ac.uk/ and www.open.ac.uk/courses/ programme. Of course there must be, and there are, programmes places. T175 Networked living: hugely popular T171 You, your computer T175 is a core course in the OU’s new about ecology and about climate change and the loss of species in exploring information and communication and the net. Like its predecessor, it will foundation degree in Information and general. But if they were all like that, you would be throwing out the technologies looks at living in a networked become the foundation course for those Communication Technologies. The degree baby with the bath water. world, how ICT affects us and how we can wanting to take a degree in ICT but, unlike combines academic, practical and “I’m not grinding an axe, I’m doing it because I think it is one of the add our voices to the debate about its T171, will not be taught entirely online. professional components, and is designed great pleasures in life. Nobody is going to save whales unless they future. “T171 had been around for quite a while to meet the needs of employers and know what whales are and why they are amazing.” “Society has moved from computing into and was introduced when the internet was industry. For more information see Life in the Undergrowth is a five-part series which was due to start networking, and this course reflects that,” less familiar, and people wanted to learn http://ict.open.ac.uk/courses Damsel fly Picture: Alamy on BBC ONE at 7.30pm on 23 November. Check listings for details. 28 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 29

More courses online at More courses online at COURSES www.open.ac.uk/courses www.open.ac.uk/courses COURSES Why religion can’t be Public is no longer a dirty word You don’t have to have a Masters in Business Administration to get on. Many managers are now seeking a qualification tailored to the public sector. The OU Business School’s Masters in Public Administration left to the religious aims to enhance the skills of those working in the public and ‘third’ sectors. By Rob Paton

COURSE focusing on six major faiths should NTERESTING things – albeit confusing, contradictory and always clients, to communities, to other services; where expectations are also give students a whole new perspective on controversial – are happening to our public services. Sometimes it higher, with a greater willingness to challenge rather than excuse low world affairs. A is due to the introduction of new technologies and processes; standards (either of service or public behaviour); where planning A217 Introducing religions takes learners through I sometimes it is through an accumulation of gradual improvements; processes and decisions are more permeable and distributed. some of the beliefs and practices of Buddhism, Islam, often it is by innovation and entrepreneurial challenges from outside Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity – and the established systems or at their peripheries; but change is You can make a difference how and why religion is so often entangled with happening. Britain may be the most centralised state in Western The work of public and third sector managers is more demanding than politics. Europe, but both government and ever – no wonder many of them are It is not designed to help students ‘do’ religion opposition are finally recognising (at returning to learning. Leading more effectively or become more, or less, spiritual. “Optimism and a commitment to public least on good days) that the minister universities – Warwick, Nottingham and “We neither ridicule religion nor promote it,” services are no longer character defects. cannot decide everything. Even the The Open University among them – have says Course Chair Dr Marian Bowman, adding that Your country does need you” government's steamy love affair with been developing new Master in Public “this is an academic course which aims at better the private sector shows signs of turning into something more Administration programmes around leadership and enterprise for understanding and knowledge of the ways in which restrained and discerning. Heavens, more public money is being spent! public and community purposes. Clear and creative thinking – to read religions hang together”. the trends, and to acknowledge, contain and weave together the A217 students will learn such things as why Sunni New realism conflicting pressures – is at a premium. But it is possible to make a and Sh’ia Muslims have such different views about Of course, marvellous things were being achieved in places, difference. Optimism and a commitment to public service are no how their faith should be practised; the fundamental even during the worst years – just as awful patches of stasis, longer character defects. Your country does need you. And you don’t beliefs of Sikhism; why some Jewish people wear demoralisation and under-funding remain. But I detect a new air of have to have a Master in Business Administration to get on. ‘Public’ is distinctive clothes confident realism among public and third-sector managers. They are OK again. and hairstyles “Religions don’t exist neither bemoaning their fate, nor mindlessly echoing New Labour Rob Paton is Professor of Social Enterprise in the Open while others do in neat little boxes. policy-speak. Something has shifted. The shape of a new settlement is University Business School. He is currently leading development of not; the difference There are a lot of emerging through the fog: it is based on new service systems that are the OU’s new Master in Public Administration programme. For further between Hinduism fuzzy boundaries” more pluralistic and adaptive, where necessary elements of details visit www.open.ac.uk/oubs and click on Courses and and Buddhism; and hierarchy are contained within a web of other strong connections – to Qualifications. why Christianity has so many apparently diverse denominations. “It offers students the equipment for living life in a plural society. It gives them a broad understanding of how, say, a Hindu sees the world, or NEW BUSINESS STUDIES CERTIFICATE IS A STEP UP THE LADDER a Sikh,” says Marion. “Religions don’t exist in neat little boxes. There are A NEW qualification and an introductory Business Studies makes up half of the also helps to improve learning skills in a lot of fuzzy boundaries. For example, the story of course at undergraduate level are on Certificate in Business Studies and forms readiness for the next stage in a Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden features in offer from the OU Business School. The its compulsory element. It introduces qualification and career. Christianity, Judaism and Islam but it’s interpreted in Certificate in Business Studies, and its students to the study of business The optional half of the Certificate will three different ways. I must say that for obvious core course, B120 An introduction to organisations and the way they function, help students address any gaps in their reasons I particularly like the Muslim version, where Business Studies, are extensions of the starting with the question ‘What is a business knowledge or skills. Students can it’s Adam who gets tempted!” successful BABS (BA in Business Studies) business?’ choose from a range of courses already The course is also of professional use to a wide programme. B120 starts in November but offered by the OU in a variety of business- range of people including teachers, health students can study for the Certificate from Clear introduction related topics such as financial professionals, social workers, personnel workers, February. From there they will go on to explore the management, using information and those in the food and catering industry – in fact It comes in response to calls from diverse nature of business organisations communications technologies and applying anyone dealing with the public in today’s students for a more relevant introduction and activity; examine the importance of mathematical thinking. While the multireligious environment. to their BABS studies than the current structure, culture and the business combination of core and optional courses Marion says: “We ask only that students bring an broadly based level 1 courses, and for the environment to organisations; and reflect provides the perfect platform for further open and enquiring mind to their study. They do not inclusion of motivational ‘way-marker’ on the influence of ethics and enterprise OU study – for instance students can use need to ‘be religious’. But because many people will awards en route to achieving a full degree. on business behaviour. The course their study credits towards a BA in Business have a view of some sort already, this course is also Some students are expected to aim just for also provides a clear, straightforward Studies – the achievement of an OU useful in giving students an ability to understand the Certificate, which will take between 12 introduction to each of three key functional Certificate in Business Studies on its own certain beliefs even if they don’t agree with them – months and two years to complete. areas of business – human resources; will provide a firm foothold on the next rung which is a very useful life skill.” The six-month An introduction to accounting and finance; and marketing; it in anyone’s career ladder. An elaborate Hindu temple top in Bangalore, India 30 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 31

FOCUS FOCUS

Those who can, tutor CASE STUDIES You don’t need to be a university lecturer or a highly experienced teacher to become an Open University Eulina Clairmont has a sociology degree from Goldsmith’s College, but it was tutor. If you have the potential, the OU will train you. By Yvonne Cook while studying international development with The Open University that she decided to make the switch to being an OU tutor. She says it’s a move any student who enjoyed their OU course should consider. “ HAT we are looking for is an appreciation of how adults “What attracts many tutors is the qualification depends on the level of the course. “I felt I could do the job because I had a substantial background knowledge of learn,” says Angela Schofield, director of the OU’s East of flexibility of the work” The minimum would be a degree or equivalent the subject and prior understanding of the OU,” said Eulina, who teaches DD100 England region, whose responsibilities include supporting professional qualification,” said Angela. W An Introduction to the social sciences:understanding social change to a group the tutors on her patch. “Someone who is prepared to impart their practising professionals in these fields. A minority make a full-time “Even if they have taught somewhere else, of 15 students in her home town, London. expertise to others and has the enthusiasm to keep people living as OU tutors, teaching several courses simultaneously. teaching at the OU is not quite like teaching “I thought that DD100 would be enjoyable to teach as it analyses a broad interested in their subject.” What attracts many tutors is the flexibility of the work. Retired anywhere else. We take them from square one and range of cultural issues. Social sciences are about everyday life, but it gives a There are between 7,500 and 8,000 people working as Open people and those with family commitments, as well as those with tell them what they need to know for the type of whole new perspective to analyse it. University tutors (officially known as Associate Lecturers), mainly in full-time jobs, find teaching with The Open University fits very nicely tuition they are going to do, whether it is online or “Tutors are the key people in students’ lives and act as their support. The the UK and Ireland but also further afield. Tutors’ backgrounds are around the rest of their lives. Workload varies from course to course; face-to-face.” course I teach has much face-to-face contact and it is interesting to talk to many and varied, and they include a fair number of former OU students. but the bulk of a tutor’s activity will be marking students’ TMAs and such a wide range of students. conducting tutorials. And between times, they have to deal with Tutor mentors “You can get involved in heated topical debates. All tutor groups have a Day job students’ queries. “They also have to learn how to support students diverse range of students – people from different religious and cultural Some carry out OU teaching in addition to their ‘day job’ as The university provides tutors with a thorough induction into its who come from very diverse backgrounds. We don’t backgrounds, from refuse collectors to top lawyers – but in the tutor group all lecturers at other universities. In the more vocational subjects, such methods. “They need the right sort of academic or professional expect the tutor to resolve every student problem are on a level playing field. as law, business, nursing and social work, tutors are liable to be background for the course they want to teach – how high a – just to be aware when there is a problem and, if “Becoming an AL means I combine a social life, everyday office life and they can’t deal with it, to let us know at the centre teaching. This is very valuable on a cv, as it shows significant time management As well as marking TMAs, tutors must be ready to deal with students’ queries and we will sort it out.” skills and motivation. “Every new tutor has a mentor, who is very often “Just as the ALs themselves support their students, The Open University an experienced tutor on the same course, for the supports its ALs, giving them highly experienced senior ALs as mentors and whole of their first year. And the OU provides a many regional centres spaced across the UK which they can visit for advice. whole lot of resources to help tutors with ideas for “You don’t need to be a trained teacher, I only had some informal teaching teaching.” experience. The OU is more interested in how you are going to relate to the Many OU tutors find that they benefit from group: can you equip them to learn independently, not just stand up and contact with such a broad range of students. But lecture them? there are other rewards too, as Angela points out. “Any student who enjoys the experience of doing an OU course should “People come to us to gain teaching experience consider becoming an AL, as the job is much easier when you know at first hand and training. Lots of Associate Lecturers tell us the what it’s like being a student. If you enjoyed your time with the OU, you can help staff training they got from the OU was better than other students. You meet really nice people, which gives you a new perspective, they got anywhere else. it’s good to get away from the office… and you get paid!” “Another of the “Lots of ALs tell us that “I think I must be the northernmost tutor in The Open University,” says Brian rewards is the staff training they got Joyce, who tutors from his home in Nokia in Finland, on the same latitude as being part from the OU was better than Iceland and Siberia. of The Open they got anywhere else” The midwinter daylight lasts only three hours and temperatures drop below University minus 20 degrees in this small town 180 kilometres north of Helsinki, but Brian academic community, being able to engage in could be basking in the Bahamas for all that his students can tell. Because the debate, not only with students, but with fellow course he teaches, H802 Applications of information technology in open and tutors. Tutors also gain a lot of IT skills and access distance education, is part of the Masters programme in Online and Distance to electronic conferencing facilities.” Education and is totally online. His class is scattered across the globe: in For many tutors, though, the greatest rewards China, Peru, Ireland, North Africa, the UK; none currently in Finland. He has are intangible, she said. “For me, the highlight was calculated that to visit them all he would have to travel more than 90,000 having students who really want to learn. If you kilometres. enjoy your subject and want to impart it, that’s Brian became a tutor after being a student on H802 in its first year of wonderful.” presentation in 1997/98. The role fits in well around his working life running a The Open University is always keen to hear business teaching English communications to Finnish companies. from people who are interested in becoming a “I say ‘my shoe size is 42, but my footprint is global’, ” says Brian, who won an tutor. You need to apply to teach on a particular OU Teaching Award for excellence in teaching in April. The award citation course. Currently there is a particular need for praised his ability to create dynamic group engagement and to respond to his tutors in law and youth work. To find out more students’ diverse needs. His students are mostly busy professionals who are about teaching with the OU and current vacancies, involved in teaching and learning themselves – he has taught OU doctors and a visit www.open.ac.uk/employment/associate- professor – and want to be able to use their skills online. lecturers 32 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 33

OU Careers Advisory Service at OU Careers Advisory Service at CAREERS www.open.ac.uk/careers www.open.ac.uk/careers CAREERS

with proven experience. Technical producers within the sector such as Cisco, Microsoft Oracle and Sun offer courses, some of which CASE STUDY World wide web are presented in partnership with universities, to develop competence in their products. Security is an issue of increasing importance as more business is Joce Rakower-Butelet – Service conducted online. This involves everything from individual users of Manager, Business Process Solutions of opportunities online payment facilities through to top secret government records. Engineer As systems become more sophisticated, so do those attempting to compromise them, and an increasing amount of resource is being Why did you choose IT? Information technology isn’t one career, but many. I had worked full-time for 22 years within the city dedicated to reducing the success of hackers. producing reports and large documents. I started Management and people skills may be as important as As information technology and computing are truly global, you studying French with the OU because I needed technical know-how could be employed anywhere. There is a growing trend towards some educational evidence that I knew how to ‘offshoring’, where work is being outsourced internationally, speak and write French (I am French and fluent). I particularly to India. Management of this work is carried out mainly NFORMATION technology is a dynamic and forward-looking industry with a then started studying maths and IT courses by staff in the UK; this implies a demand for staff with the skills to be wide range of jobs, which can be divided between those in IT companies and because they interested me. I never expected an able to manage teams at great distances. those in end-user organisations. The following categorisation of activities and upper second degree but after four years I was I To keep up to date, read VNU Network www.vnunet.com for current occupations is taken from material produced by the Association of Graduate there! issues and vacancies and Computer Weekly www.cw360.com for Careers Advisory Services and Graduate Prospects (see the Prospects website in It wasn’t possible to be redeployed within my industry news. the Useful Links section below). existing company and at 40-something I landed a Jobs in IT Services include IT consultants, systems analysts, network engineers, Useful links graduate position with LogicaCMG in the software trainers; software product development jobs include software Q Careers Advisory Service website – www.open.ac.uk/careers outsourcing department. The pay was less than I engineers, technical authors; IT sales and marketing jobs cover sales, technical, Q Graduate Prospects – (www.prospects.ac.uk) includes a wide was used to, but I was promised promotion. The marketing executives; in-house IT jobs include programmers, systems analysts, range of information on the IT industry, specific job roles, vacancies company does a lot of project work, so staff tend database administrators, helpdesk support, software trainers. and postgraduate courses. to move about a lot; during the first 18 months I Q British Computer Society – www.bcs.org.uk, includes Entry routes worked on development projects, carried out some comprehensive careers resources. security work, then became a desktop engineer Some employers specify a particular IT degree, especially for highly technical jobs; Q Institution of Analysts and Programmers – www.iap.org.uk and after a promotion was involved in software others require a numerate degree like mathematics, engineering, or Q E-skills UK Ltd – www.e-skills.com development. science. Many have no preference for degree discipline and will train Q Institute of IT Training (IITT) – www.iitt.org.uk/ Current Job? motivated students for roles as diverse as software development, consultancy, Q Irish Software Association – www.software.ie I was one of three people who made up a new team sales and marketing. Check company websites to identify individual which now comprises 17 people. Our team requirements. There are a number of postgraduate IT conversion courses for those Q Irish Computer Society – www.ics.ie develops software solutions for any repetitive with degrees in other disciplines. It is advisable to research carefully activity. I manage the team, sort out problems, the area in which you are interested before embarking on a course. The OU offers identify functional specifications for others to a wide range of IT and computing courses, from those which update your IT skills write technical code, attend meetings, visit to much more specialist postgraduate courses. Find out more at www.open.ac.uk/courses CASE STUDY customers and evaluate their needs. I don’t have a desk as I work in whichever office I happen to be in Computing experience of any kind is useful. If, for example, you want to get into Simon Hargrave – Information students, courses, enrolments and staff. My people need and meet their requirements. web design you may already have designed web pages, so a portfolio of work would or at home. My working day is from 8am–1pm then duties include ensuring that data is accurate Seeing a project through from conception be an asset. and Data Manager 5pm–8pm. and that it works. I generate reports on to implementation and knowing that What has been your career path to date? Best and worst parts of your job? Which is the role for you? college performance and the accuracy of something you helped create has made things I left school with minimal qualifications and Best – seeing a new system for a client work. A Don’t be too set on a job title as these vary between companies. Talk to people the data. better. There’s also a surprising amount of spent five years doing a succession of jobs, recent example is where staff now get a lunch hour already employed in the field; read job adverts in the vacancy columns of In adult education we have to show we are creativity involved in effective IT work. where previously they had no real break and had newspapers and specialist journals; send for job descriptions to broaden your like being a kitchen porter. I read that there achieving targets. As the person responsible Worst – pressure, people invariably want was demand for computer programmers so I to work late. Humour is key and I work with some understanding. Register for the OU Career Links scheme if you are an OU for generating the data to do this, I have a something that will take weeks done in a decided on that. A careers adviser said very bright people in a culture where you are student, and would like to be matched with someone who is already in an IT role lot of pressure. I manage a team and a lot of day! But through negotiation they’re usually I’d need a qualification so I did an HND. I encouraged to voice your opinion. I seldom have a who will talk to you about their experiences and knowledge of the industry. Go to my time is spent sharing the workload; more than happy to wait. couldn’t get a job because employers bad day. www.open.ac.uk/careers and look in the A-Z for Career Links. teamwork is crucial. What advice would you give to someone Worst – the growing pains of the company when In such a fast-paced industry employers are looking for staff who understand wanted experience so did some temping for wanting to get into your area of IT? What skills do you use the most? there were mergers followed by redundancies. the business environment and have a passion for IT. Early responsibility is the a year and then got a permanent job in Get a qualification, but you’ll need to get technical support. After a year I became an Good organisational skills; the ability to What skills do you use? norm so evidence that you are self-reliant and have the ability to communicate experience as well. Try getting any job in IT Analyst/Programmer for several companies analyse user requirements and project Technical skills in software design; I need to complex issues is important. Any experience that demonstrates you have these and studying part-time. Make sure you get a over a period of eight years. I then worked manage the implementation of any solutions; understand this to get others to write code. skills, even from a different environment, will be an advantage. wide range of experience to see what you as a Business Analyst for five years. technical knowledge, although I’d argue that’s Project management skills are also necessary As this is a knowledge industry, you can expect to completely renew your enjoy. less important. You need to communicate because a lot of IT work is project-based. The main expertise every three years, if you want promotion – so keeping up-to-date is Current Job? Ask for advice and don’t be put off by the with other people to understand their skill I use is advanced negotiation techniques. essential. I now work for an adult education college, jargon. Its important to be able to work with requirements and have good negotiation skills. Learning to manage people takes time, IT people What’s current? managing the database and producing people, to be able to see the big picture and tend to be fairly independent-minded. The ability The IT industry is now becoming more established and more formalised. For management information. Our main Best and worst parts of the job? how the changes being proposed might to fit in also helps . example the British Computer Society offers Chartered Engineer status for those database contains information on Best – when I am able to provide what impact on other areas of the organisation. 34 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 227 35 # interview !. Ross Sutherland 9/5 3%%4(% $)&&%2%.#%

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&ORNOMORE()'(STREETCOSTSCALL Ross combines his interests in health and music in his role as a hospital radio presesnter ORVISITOURWEBSITE WWWEYECANDYUKCOM Skye’s the limit for Ross

TAKE MORE PICTURES, SHARE YOUR MEMORIES Name: Ross Sutherland. – and why? Ideally, I’m looking to get into the How would you spend your ideal evening? media in some capacity. I enjoy writing a With wife, bump, family and friends. Good FREE CHOCOLATEFLASH WITH EVERY ORDER! Age: Just turned 31. great deal, and studying has really helped me food, good music, good conversation and WWW.MYMEMORY.CO.UK TEL: 01534 789922 Family: Married and expecting first baby in develop a style. As a music fan, I also enjoy looking forward to the future. The evening February. presenting, and working on hospital radio has would of course, be sponsored by Talisker [Skye whisky]. Describe yourself in three words: content, really convinced me I could develop this. optimist, caring. What newspapers/magazines do you read? Where do you hope to be 10 years from now? Ten years from now, I hope to have a regular Where do you live? Aberdeen. Newspaper-wise I enjoy the Guardian or the Scotsman. I like to relax with an intelligent column in the Guardian and a weekly show on What are you studying at the moment? music magazine such as Record Collector Radio 4 discussing pertinent health issues of I’ve just finished K302 Critical practice in or Q. the day! Failing that, having a good career in health and social care the penultimate Olympus 256MB Victorinox 128MB Swiss journalism will suit me nicely. Lexor (Sony) 256MB course of my Health and Social Care degree. What are your hobbies? For the last year I’ve How would you spend £1 million? I’d develop xD Picture Card Memory USB Flash Drive Memory Stick Pro For my free choice, I’ll be studying DA204 had the pleasure of serving as Press and my own property in Skye and invite my Understanding media next year. Publicity Officer for my local hospital radio station. Next year is our 25th anniversary so favourite bands to play on the lawn for the What’s the best thing about OU study? this takes up a lot of my time. Despite its grand opening! For me, it has to be the quality of the unfair reputation as an ‘old man’s game’, What’s your greatest regret? I should have teaching and materials. I have covered a very playing bowls really helps me unwind after a put things in place to change career sooner. broad spectrum in the last six years and busy week at work. almost all of it has been relevant to my Complete the following sentence: The OU practice. ... and your favourite film and/or book? High would be better if...people didn’t keep SanDisk 256MB MyMemory 512MB 66X MyMemory 512MB 66X Fidelity by Nick Hornby was the first time I’d asking, “didn’t you want to go to a proper And the worst? It’s quite often a very Memory Stick Pro Duo SD Card Compact Flash Card read a book and found a lead character I university?” solitary way to study, so when we do meet really related to. The original Star Wars face to face, it’s really a letdown when trilogy is both a great piece of cinema and people don’t want to contribute to tutorials. DELIVERY & INSURANCE £3.95 WWW.MYMEMORY.CO.UK – WHERE SMALL THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE nostalgia for me. If you would like to be featured in the interview please email your contact What do you do for a living? I’m presently a What makes you switch off the TV? Daytime details and a brief description of the civil servant, working with the Food TV – I hate it! Having spent the largest part courses you are studying with the OU PRICES SHOWN ARE INCLUSIVE OF VAT & DUTIES WHERE APPLICABLE AND ARE ACCURATE AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE PRICES, PLEASE CHECK Standards Agency. THE WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE PRICING. ALL TRADEMARKS USED WITHIN ADVERTISEMENT ARE FULLY RECOGNISED AND ARE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY of my career on shift work, I find it the visual to [email protected] What would be your ideal alternative career equivalent of elevator muzak! 36 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 competition sesame Christmas crossword

Win £100 cash plus a copy of a Chambers Dictionary

ES it’s that time again! The sesame Chambers has once again generously In addition, the sender of the first one Christmas crossword is back, so donated four copies of their dictionary. drawn will receive £100 courtesy of sesame. Ytake some time out from that course The senders of the first four correct Winners will be notified by phone or email. work and have a go at winning yourself £100 solutions drawn out of the hat on 27 January Details of Chambers dictionaries can be in cash. 2006 will receive a copy of the dictionary. found at www.chambers.com

Across 1. There’s nothing in the North Polar region but snow (8) 6. We take pains to please him (6) 9. Tired man’s breakfast (6) 10. Stopped doing wrong? (8) 11. The King of Sparta turned melancholy one Christmas (8) 12. What can you do with straight hair? Pass (6) 13. Whether or not you can find the right mate? (5,7) 16. ‘Halt please’ – an odd order to give a goddess (6,6) 19. Soup and cut of lamb or schnitzel (6) 21. Never-to-be forgotten model car abandoned outside (8) 23. Force studies of cattle with some muscular spasms (8) 24. Wrong to catch up in this game? (6) 25. Port Vale right half gets behind the kick (6) 26. Steps for which I apologise (6,2)

Down 2. Remarks players ignore as the team comes in (6) 3. US gangster doesn’t finish the chicken (5) 4. Residents suffering from fatigue (9) 5. Sets about girls (7) 6. Throw away a fight? (5) 7. Braised chops the French find very appetising (9) 8. Sample mince pies I left out after cooking (8) SESAME CHRISTMAS 13. Symptom of fear in veteran after start of conflict (4,5) 14. Stiffness of the joints? Throw cure at him! (9) CROSSWORD ENTRY FORM 15. Friend threatening to dispose of American horse (8) 17. Street winding round one Italian city (7) Send your entry with the completed coupon to: 18. Group of drivers is seen on motorway showing unlawful Cullen Crosswords, 19 Cyncoed Place, Cardiff, CF23 6SG prejudice (6) Closing date 27 January 2006. Only one entry per person. 20. As a poet he was about number one in his country (5) Name: 22. They can be costly calls (5) Address:

Postcode: Tel Number: Email:

Autumn crossword winners

The winner of our autumn crossword was Anne Answers - Across: Answers - Down: Braithwaite from Pickering who wins £75 plus a 1. Clan 3. Recognise 9. Adar 10. Hoity Toity 1. Claret 2. Academies 4. Erogenous 5. Oath copy of the Chambers Dictionary. The two 12. Eyeholes 13. Consul 14. Firm Foundation 6. National Park 7. Swiss 8. Hyaline runners-up were Ian Whittaker from Weymouth 18. Castles in Spain 20. Lather 22. Tetragon 11. Formaldehyde 15. Non-sexist and J. James from Bristol who each receive a 24. Daisy Chain 25. Hair 26. Novelette 16. Isinglass 17. Occlude 19. Untrue 21. Taino copy of the Chambers Dictionary. 27. Aske 23. Ghee WINTER 2005 OU STUDENT Edited by

The official publication of the Open University Students Association Joan Jones Mixed blessings

HAD some fantastic news in July, my daughter presented me knowledge is that carried in our genes, our instincts; we are with my third grandchild. I had a problem though because I was completely receptive to learning and stimuli from our environment, Ihalfway through my OU Residential School course and I but as we grow we also learn about fear, worry, self-worth and all desperately wanted to be at home with the newest member of my the horrors in our world. family. Having been reassured that was not necessary though, I did I was privileged recently to be able to talk to new OU students at stick the course out. It made meeting Nathan even sweeter on the an induction meeting in Birmingham and could see with many of the Friday when I got home and as I have seen him almost daily over participants that even though they were excited about the journey the past weeks I have noted his they were about to embark on, they also understanding of the world around him “I always find it wondrous watching a showed signs of fear of failing to reach changing day by day. child learn. They have no fear of what their goals. My advice was: “Keep going I always find it wondrous watching a child they might be able to do” because anything worth having you learn. They have no fear of what they might usually have to work hard for, and don’t be not be able to do, or what others might think of them, they soak up afraid to ask for help – the OU is proud to offer supported distance knowledge like a sponge and with the guidance and support of learning”… and if you are not sure where to ask for that help those around them they grow. For me there is just too much out contact OUSA. There is sure to be a friendly volunteer with answers there I want to know more about, but like many adults, learning can in your region or, if you prefer online, our FirstClass Peer Support become for me a bit of a trial sometimes. Will I be able to facility could be just what you are looking for. understand the concepts? What is the In early September I received my NUS-OUSA membership card best way to find out about a and I have been having fun seeing where I can use it; and I am sure I particular topic? Will I have will have saved the subscription by Christmas just by using it in my the time and commitment normal day-to-day life. Mixed blessing? Well I have suddenly got an while balancing all the other interest back in shopping and leisure activities when I should be parts of my life? What will doing other things! If you have not got your card yet get your it cost me in time and application form from www.ousa.org.uk (and follow the path money and what value will through News and Feedback to Bulletin) – why miss out on an that studying bring to me opportunity to save money? and the people around me? In late September we were delighted by the news from the So learning can be a mixed National Student Survey that placed The Open University top of the blessing. When league for overall satisfaction. It is thanks to your replies that our we are born university did so well in this survey. I believe that we are fortunate the only that the OU listens to its students via your elected OUSA representatives. It must not be forgotten though that it is the very commitment and dedication of those representatives, who volunteer their time to gather the opinions of their student peers and put forward arguments for improvements by the university in all its various facets, that has helped the university to this top position. The mixed blessing? Many universities will be attempting to topple the OU from its perch in next year’s survey and OUSA will have to work extremely hard to make sure its recommendations for improvements are sound in order to help keep the OU at the top of the league. As I write this, I have just heard that Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, has announced a new package of Lifelong learners: Joan and Nathan turn to page 38 38 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 39

Mixed blessings OUSA Conference from page 37 efforts, I can finally see some reflection needs to do to ensure that none of our of the issues that I raised with Bill Rammell, students are disadvantaged now or in the funding for part-time students, to include a Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher future because of rising course fees. We 2006 25 per cent increase in grant levels payable Education, in this announcement. I also are The Open University and we must not towards fees for those qualifying for believe OUSA’s association with the NUS only be open to those poor enough to A CONFUSION of American-style grid roads, an obstacle course of perplexing assistance. This will mean that maximum has already played a part in persuading the qualify for support and wealthy enough to roundabouts, together with a herd of wild concrete cows won’t prevent hundreds of support for fees will rise from £590 to Minister that part-time students are absorb significant fee increases. We OU students from finding the Open University’s campus in Milton Keynes for the £750 for those who study 60 points and a significant force to be reckoned with. particularly need to hear from YOU if you annual OUSA Conference in 2006. rise from £885 to £1,125 for those However, the battle is a long way from are one of the many students who fall Around 300 delegates and observers from OUSA’s units and societies will come studying 90 points. The government expects won for part-time students for there is a outside the threshold for financial together over the weekend of 7 to 9 April to participate in the debates that 85,000 of the half million students in sting in the tail. The government is using support and are worried about your future. establish OUSA policy on educational, organisational, representational and student part-time higher education to benefit from this increased support to reinforce its call What will you do if fees are put up support issues for the forthcoming year. Elections for officers of OUSA take place this financial package (so probably around to universities to solve the remaining significantly? And my final mixed and reports are presented on the work undertaken during the previous year. 25,000 OU students). Also more money will funding gap by increasing fees for part-time blessing? OU students have always had All OUSA members have a right to be represented at the annual Conference and a be available from the hardship fund, which students, which unlike those for full-time to fight for their rights – but they have right to determine what is debated. Your Association is organised as a network of universities can allocate to students facing students, remain uncapped. This will affect their own organisation to do that. Contact branches and by attending your local branch meeting, you can help to decide just particular financial difficulties, which will many students especially those who do not me at [email protected] what the current issues and concerns are for students and what matters OUSA rise from £3m to £12m. qualify for assistance and are not should be debating at Conference 2006. These changes will bring real benefits to sponsored by some other means. Interested in finding out more? Contact your local OUSA branch or email or call students of this university and of course I Far from being complacent I am well JOAN JONES the OUSA Office for further details. Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes am pleased that, after so many previous aware of how much more hard work OUSA PRESIDENT, OUSA Masterclass for the General Manager EDUCATION MATTERS T is six and a half years since manager who is totally committed centred around a number of of the solutions they had found Opportunities within OUSA I took up the post of OUSA to staff development for residential units. and some of the questions they IGeneral Manager, and everyone else, but unable to were raising, the penny finally unfortunately I have made one justify finding the time and Distinctive dropped about how big an idiot I UR team of Central Representatives sit on university university. One particularly important change at present being of the classic errors for space for some self-development. I attended the first unit in had been not to make a much boards and committees on our behalf. Their much valued considered involves the History Degree (award code B01). The most managers and senior staff in all October and was really quite earlier effort to tap this rich Orole is important in communicating student views to the notable changes are the removal of the ‘compulsory’ element of the types of organisations – despite Collaboration bowled over – as much as seam of knowledge, experience heart of the university, while using the opportunity to improve residential school and project course, and 60 points of free choice being in the bosom of a lifelong Lucky for me then that the anything by the shock of fully and adventure. I have absolutely their own skills. Central Representatives can find themselves is to be introduced, together with an increased number of ‘option’ learning culture – I have not current OUSA President knows realising the extent of my no doubt that the relatively extending and improving their own skills in areas of committee courses. While the university is usually reluctant to make changes undertaken any substantial a good deal about such dilemmas departure from everything I small amount of time I am representation, professional performance at committee meetings, with such a short lead time (this one is effective almost training since I arrived. How and was happy to provide the thought I knew and was spending out of the office, the public speaking, dealing with and using academic committee immediately), this change will bring the programme of study to an does such a situation come right measure of pressure and committed to, in terms of the projects we will be undertaking papers, producing reports, supporting others, teamwork and appropriate level compared with similarly structured degrees about? Is it a belief that one support to jolt me out of my process of learning. OUSA and individually and in collaboration, self-development. Becoming a Central Representative produces an within the Arts Faculty. While not only increasing the academic knows it all? Or a fear that there stagnation! Even better, I its parent university are so large and the opportunities for peer opportunity to produce additional elements for a curriculum vitae credibility of the programme, it will also offer students increased is so much more to know, it decided to take a leaf out of and distinct that one can discussions and exchanges will as well as the increased confidence and self esteem that many of flexibility in the courses and curriculum areas they wish to include would be safer not to find out? Joan’s book, following her perhaps get into the trap I found repay both OUSA and myself at our representatives experience. in pursuit of their degree. It’s difficult to say really but I important initiative to open myself in – there is so much to least tenfold. I feel as if there Diversity is a key element of our Central Representative Team The university has endeavoured to contact as many affected am unlikely to be the first OUSA up to productive know about OUSA/OU and it is really ought to be a moral to this and so we welcome students from all walks of life and backgrounds. students as soon as possible, in particular those already linked to collaboration with our so different from what you story – and I have to say that Training is provided annually, but for those who do come into the the award. Another important move forward is the consideration of colleagues in NUS. I am now might have thought you knew the one that springs to mind is team a little later in the year and miss our face-to-face training, we allowing some third level credit to count towards postgraduate forming some productive, about universities and students ‘no fool like an old fool’ but I do offer an alternative training package tailored to individual awards. This is consistent with practice in collaborative relationships unions, that you really need to think I will be a little kinder to needs. Ongoing support is provided throughout the year by both other universities and can be achieved myself having embarked on a immerse yourself in it for years, myself and say that ‘you learn myself and key members of the team, and meetings with OUSA are without in anyway devaluing the relevant course tailor-made for General close your eyes and ears to the something every day’… even if arranged prior to each Committee meeting to provide the awards while again allowing more Managers of students unions. rest of the sector – and when sometimes it is what you representative with adequate support and guidance where needed. flexibility for students pursuing such The course is part of a series you ‘know it all’, that will be time thought that you had already No special experience or qualifications are needed, and each study. Keep an eye on the relevant of offerings in Leadership and aplenty to go out taking in new got filed away in your psyche application is considered individually. Why don’t you get involved Courses and Qualifications page on Management, which are experiences… Ooooppps! but had forgotten to take out and find out more about your university by representing your fellow the university website for updates, or presented by John Windle and Di When I found myself sitting in and examine lately... Hope when students? contact your Regional Centre for Boston, who between them have a room with 12 other General you get your exam results you We have several existing vacancies at the moment, so please get advice. an extensive range of Managers of student find that you too managed to in touch with us at the OUSA Office, where we will be able to experience both within and unions/associations, some big, pull this trick off! answer any queries that you have, and send you an application form. REBECCA beyond students unions. It is some small, but all different and ROSENTHAL spread over eight months, and distinctive, and heard the issues TRUDI DE HANEY Qualification Changes VICE-PRESIDENT, involves a variety of projects they were grappling with, some GENERAL MANAGER, OUSA We review many curriculum changes that happen within the EDUCATION, OUSA 40 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 41

Frequently asked questions Dates for your diary IN BRIEF Race Equality If you would like to see your event advertised here, please AS part of its strategy to achieve race equality the university Got a burning question about the way the OU works? Want to know more about OUSA? Send your contact the OUSA Office. Deadline for the next issue of has a commitment to increase the diversity of the student questions to Rebecca Rosenthal at the OUSA office OU Student is 2 February. population by drawing in students with a wider range of National Events minority ethnic backgrounds. The current target is to I have an idea for a new course that I feel excluded combinations involving ‘previous team. While we understand that we provide 25th M500 Society Winter Weekend on Euclidean – style increase the proportion of undergraduate students with the university could develop, who or where courses’ in named programmes of study. our course conferences as a ‘social forum’ geometry. 6 - 8 January 2006, Nottingham University. Application Asian, Black or mixed ethnic backgrounds to 11 per cent by should I send it to? Some courses may also involve reference to for discussion, we are also keen to maintain forms from www.m500.org.uk 2006. There is also an important target to improve the The university is continually developing new current legislation; in this case, it is the university’s philosophy of independent retention rate of such students. Local Events course ideas, as well as updating existing important for the change to be made as study. However, Conference 2005 created a OUSA supports the university’s commitment to race ones. You could send your ideas to the Dean soon as possible. But generally the policy which asks for clearer guidelines for Bournemouth & Poole Branch First Thursday of every month, equality and its related objective of widening participation. of the relevant Faculty in the university. university tries to leave a three-to-seven our moderators, and in turn the students 8.30pm, Grasshopper Pub, Poole Rd, Lower Parkstone, Poole. We believe that increasing the diversity of our student Alternatively, let us know in OUSA what year lead time on the changes becoming that use the conferences, and this is Details Neil Walkling: [email protected] population is of positive benefit to all students and to our your ideas are, and we will be more than active, in order for the relevant students to something we will seek to achieve this year. Web: www.bournmouthpoole.co.uk university in general. We also believe that the Students Association has its own distinctive contribution to make. That happy to pass them on for you. be informed and documentation to be Bristol Branch First Wednesday of every month, 8.30pm, Horts is why OUSA is setting up a FirstClass conference so that this changed. This way, the least possible I received a newsletter from my OUSA Tavern, 49-50 Broad Street, Bristol and Third Tuesday of every issue can be aired and OUSA can better advise the OU on How long before a course idea becomes an number of students are affected, and Region which informed me about the month, 8.30pm, The Cornubia, Temple Street Bristol. Details: future recruitment and retention policies. We’d like to hear option for study for students? students have enough time to adapt their Student Academic Links in my region. The Kate: 0117 955 1992. Web: www.ousabristol.org.uk This will usually depend on how drastic the planned study route. post sounds interesting, but I am not sure from students who feel they could make a contribution to change is, or how new the idea and how it why I would contact one or how a student Cheltenham Branch Second Wednesday of every month, 8.30pm, this discussion and we would be particularly keen to hear affects existing programmes of study. For Why are TMA questions not allowed to be becomes one. The Somerset Arms, Leckhampton. Details Alli: [email protected] from students of minority ethnic backgrounds who might be interested in helping us to moderate this conference and example, a course may need to be updated discussed in OUSA course conferences? Student Academic Links (SALs) are elected Chippenham Branch Second Monday of every month, 7.30pm. help to ensure that it is focused, constructive and in order to keep its credibility within a There are several reasons for this. Firstly, within each region and sub-region. We Pheasant Public House, Chippenham. Details Pauline Lock: productive. Contact us at [email protected] quoting particular programme of study. To enable there is an issue of copyright in reproducing currently have the capacity of one student [email protected] the programme itself to remain relevant, TMA questions on line. Secondly, the per faculty, per region. Students don’t need ‘race equality’ in the title of your message, either for more Devon South Branch . the revised and updated course may have decision on whether to discuss TMA to have any special qualifications or Second or third Wednesday of every month information or to offer your support. The Ship, Preston, Paignton. Details Peter: [email protected] its code changed in order to exclude the questions lies with the university, and so we experience. SALs act as a link between the irrelevant information from the previous take the general stance not to allow the students within the region, and the OUSA Exeter Branch Third Wednesday of every month, 7.30pm. Mill-on- Coming Soon course being included in a relevant discussion of TMA questions unless we are Executive Committee. They are supported the-Exe, Exeter. Details Margaret: margaret@margaret35. OUR exciting Presentation Gifts 2006 brochure offering a qualification. This produces some of the instructed otherwise by the relevant course by both their own Executive Committee wanadoo.co.uk range of prestigious products from crystal and bone china Member and Vice-President, Education. Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch First Tuesday of every items to commemorative jewellery and clothing will soon be They primarily deal with academic and month, 7pm, Bon Accord Pub, North Street, Glasgow. Details mailed to individuals receiving awards next year. These items curriculums-based issues, and are able to Catherine Macmillan: 0141 339 7906. feature the OU coat of arms or the OU logo. New items for respond to queries and point students in 2006 include an executive decision-maker, a 24 per cent lead the right direction, as well as being able to Gloucester Branch crystal champagne flute and a Waterman Pen set. feed information from and to our First Thursday of every month, 8.00pm, The Fountain Inn, If you are looking for a Christmas gift for a work colleague representatives on central university Westgate Street, Gloucester. Details Paula: 01452 750416. or a student friend, don't wait for the brochure, please visit boards and committees. If you would like to Haverfordwest Branch First Thursday of every month, 7.30pm, our website at www.ousa.org.uk (clicking on OSL online) for contact your SAL, or would like more Haverfordwest Cricket Club, Dale Rd, Haverfordwest, Pembs. our full range of merchandise. information on how to become a SAL, then Details Mair via FirstClass: [email protected] Donations from the profit of sales are made to OUSET (the please get in touch with the OUSA Office. Open University Students Educational Trust), OUSA’s Kendal Branch First Tuesday of every month, 7.30pm, Brewery students’ charity. Why do OUSA not provide FirstClass Arts Centre, Kendal. Details Brian Wright: 015396 21567. course conferences for every OU course? Oldham Branch Third Saturday of every month, 3.30pm, Toby Rise to the Challenge Some course teams will be providing their Carvery (Chadderton Park Inn) on Broadway, Oldham. Families own course conference, and they have the ARE you up for a real challenge? Do you love meeting people? (including children) welcome. Details: Gary: 0748 112 7017. added benefit of being able to place the Are you well organised and capable of working under conference on the desktop of every student Plymouth Branch Third Tuesday of every month. Winifred Baker pressure? Do you have a week available during July/August of studying the course. Our course Court, Addison Rd, North Hill, Plymouth. Details Pat: 2006? Would you like to become a member of our dedicated conferences are provided as a ‘social forum’ [email protected] band of OUSA Residential Schools Representatives covering and so are there for students to seek them the schools planned for Heriot Watt (Edinburgh), Durham, Portsdown Branch First Tuesday of every month, 7.30pm. Toby out themselves, and contribute while being Nottingham, St Mary’s (London), Brighton and Bath? Carvery, Copnor Rd, Hilsea. Details Keith: [email protected] supported by other students. These Challenges include: organising social events for students conferences do not necessarily receive Southend Branch First Thursday of every month, 7.30pm. The Royal to enjoy after their hard days’ studying; marketing OUSA, academic input from the university itself. Navy Association Club, 73-79 East Street Prittlewell, Southend- including selling OU branded goods; and fundraising for our We do endeavour to honour every request on-Sea. Details Albert: [email protected] charity the Open University Students Educational Trust (OUSET). for course conferences from students West Cumbria Branch Last Sunday of every month, 7.30pm. The If you are up for the challenge contact the OUSA Office for wherever possible. Howgate Inn (on the A595 between Whitehaven and Workington). more details and an application form. REBECCA ROSENTHAL Details Tony: [email protected] 42 SESAME 228 Winter 2005

Calling all Republic of Ireland students

USA is keen to hear from any student from the Republic of Ireland who would be interested in becoming part of the OUSA Regional Forum, which will meet online Oaround five times a year using the FirstClass Conferencing system. The first formative meeting is planned for 8 - 20 December 2005. The purpose of the Regional Forum is to ensure that OUSA’s functions of representation, support and social interaction are provided within the region and that local branches are formed and fully supported. There are many interesting roles on offer including: running the business of the Regional Forum; providing support to students needing help with knowing where to start with educational, academic and disability issues; providing representation on OU regional and central committees and groups. A newsletter has been sent to all students within the Republic, but for more details and to register to have the FirstClass Conference available on your desktop contact [email protected] quoting “RoI” together with your personal identifier and your preferred server number.

OU Student, the publication of the Open University Students Association, is edited by the OUSA President. Most of the articles are written by students of the University. It is produced on OUSA’s behalf by The Communications Group of The Open University. Editorial enquiries and contributions should be addressed to: Als Ryan, Open University Students Association, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6BE. Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 652026 Fax: +44 (0) 1908 654326 Email: [email protected] OUSA website: www.ousa.org.uk

IF YOU WANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUSA PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM

MEMBERSHIP CARDS REPRESENTATIVES ON CENTRAL COMMITTEES Discounts for the OU Student If you are interested in representing your fellow students on Open The OUSA Membership Card will help gain you discounts and student University central committees and boards, please tick the box. concessions on goods and services. You may also get discount rates for theatres, cinemas, museums, leisure centres etc. It has also been SUPPORT LINKS accepted for rail travel in Europe (although not yet in the UK Tick the box for further details about becoming a Student Support Link, unfortunately) and in many European venues. The card can be used as proof Disabled Student Link or Student Academic Link (circle area of interest). of OU student status when using student union facilities of other universities where OUSA has a reciprocal agreement and for OU exams. REPRESENTATIVES AT RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS All OU students are eligible, so apply for one today. Remember, it’s free! If you are interested in being a rep at residential schools in the future, We will need one passport size photograph, proof of student identity/ please tick the box for a recruitment pack and application form. correspondence with student number and a 2nd class stamp for return of your card (or include 20p designated for the purpose if you send a ENABLED STUDENTS GROUP donation for OUSET). Documents will be returned with your card. This group is open to all those disabled students interested in helping OUSA to achieve its equality policy. Please tick the box if you are interested OUSET DONATION in receiving details of how to register with the Enabled Students Group. OUSET, The Open University Students Educational Trust, is a registered charity, administered by OUSA, and is designed to help Open University GRADUATION CEREMONIES students in financial need. Its funds are almost entirely generated by Tick the box for details of how you can represent OUSA at an OU donations and fundraising activities of fellow students. Any donation is Graduation ceremony. welcome. Please allow 28 days for delivery of all OUSA Services. ORDER FORM

OUSA information is recorded on computer. OUSA is registered under the Data Protection Act. Name Student Number Region Catchment Area Number Address

Postcode Daytime Tel No Signature

Date I include a donation to OUSET.

Please send completed form and enclosures to: OUSA Office, (SESAME 228) PO Box 397, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6BE Fax: +44 (0) 1908 654326. Winter 2005 SESAME 228 43

READERS’ HOLIDAY OFFER

A TASTE OF CORNWALL holiday resort perfect for couples and Prices for this four-star, self-drive break for families. three nights, self-catering (fourth night THIS special explorer holiday includes FREE), including one dinner at the Brasserie private airport transfers to/from Arillas, (AA 1-rosette) in the Watergate Bay Hotel, self-catering in the privately owned start at £59 per person. Elena-Stella apartments, a full-day boat BEACHCOMBERS Apartments, recently excursion to one of the offshore islands, a nominated as a finalist in the Cornwall half-day excursion to explore Corfu town or Tourism Awards for ‘2005 Best Self-catering Sidari, plus one Greek evening meal (three of the Year’, is situated just two hundred courses with wine). Charter flights are yards from the mile-long sandy beach. Many available from most UK regional airports and of the one- and two-bedroom units have sea prices start from £335 per adult for seven views and all have a patio or balcony. Holiday nights based on four sharing a two-bedroom offer C190/OU apartment. Holiday offer C151/OU CORNWALL GOURMET GOLF CORNWALL & ISLES OF SCILLYGARDEN THE holiday offer above can be booked BREAK together with two rounds of golf, one at A fabulous six-night two-centre holiday! Newquay golf course and one at Perranporth Two nights at the two-star Atlantic Hotel in Newquay Fistral Picture: Paul Watts, VisitCornwall golf course. Other Cornish golf courses can Hugh Town on St Mary’s followed by three or Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan plus be booked on-site, many with a discount. four nights at the family-run Tregurrian the boat trip to Tresco and admission to the Prices including the Taste of Cornwall offer Hotel at Watergate Bay near Newquay. sub-tropical Abbey Gardens. All this from start from £109 per person. Holiday offer THIS special tour commences 27 February £399 per person. Holiday offer C152/OU C191/OU 2006 and includes rooms with private For further details contact ABTA and ATOL CORFU IONIAN EXPLORER 2006 bathroom or shower, dinner, bed and bonded operator, Travelsmith Ltd. Telephone The charming village of Arillas on the breakfast throughout, return flight +44 (0)1621 784666 quoting the holiday northwest coast of Corfu makes an ideal Newquay-St Marys, admissions to the Eden offer number. ABTA V1290. ATOL 1917.

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www.open.ac.uk/oulifescreensaver 44 SESAME 228 Winter 2005 Winter 2005 SESAME 228 45 very good condition. £100 ono + London Region Arts Club The World in your Mailbox! Volcanic Experiences 2006 p&p. Tel: Sue Tanner, 020 8654 STUDY BUDDY D/L. Serving Students of the Open University Are you looking for pen friends? Small group tours to superb volcanic areas of the world 8868. Cool white Student Reading- Please write to: K100: full course material stand for OU course-books. Present (1) The Big Island of Hawaii (Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea) April SMALL ADS International Pen Friends (2) Sicily & the Aeolian Islands (Etna, Vulcano & Stromboli) May including tapes, videos, in very £15.70 including p&p, slope 12 Hillmead (3) The spectacular north of Iceland. July good condition. £150 including adjusters and page-clips. SOCIETIES MID YEAR DAY SCHOOL (4) La Palma (Canary Islands) August Crawley/West Sussex p&p. Contact Linda Parker; tel: Strong, lightweight, twin- For October starters, Computer Software RH11 8RR/UK (5) The Bay of Naples, Vesuvius & Pompeii. October 01274 533 267. sided, foldaway, recyclable A103, A207, A210 Students and others to whom the & CLUBS All tours led by experienced former OU tutor K100, K202, K303. Full course polypropylene. on University distributes computer For further details contact Alan Clewlow on 01527-832578 Saturday 28 January 2006 software as part of their course Holidays www.volcanic-experiences.co.uk materials. All course books, Please send cheque to OU Travel and materials are reminded that the videos, tapes and CDs in good Study Society University only confers upon the original Study Buddy, PO Box 255, And the popular recipient of the computer software a Travel Organiser? Look under condition, £400 + p&p, will split. Alix Mackay, 64 Buckingham Rd, Americas WEST WALES: Two excellently Farnborough, GU14 8XZ. Brighton BN1 3RQ NON-TRANSFERABLE licence to use it in Tel: 0121 745 9931. Societies & Clubs for more equipped 4-star cottages sleeping Information/other models: Eve Tel: 01273 775077 INTRODUCTION SEMINARS conjunction with the University’s K100, K203, K205. Complete materials. The licence specifically states information. www.ecttravel.com 2 (plus 1) and 6 (plus 1) with own www.wordpower.u-net.com NEW STUDENTS! course material including set FOR HUMANITIES STUDENTS that the original recipient of the ORLANDO. Three-bed, 2-bath S.W. FRANCE, 25 kilometres gardens in Cwmhiraeth ('Valley of JOIN the largest society offering an annual computer software MUST NOT in any books all in excellent condition. on villa, private heated pool, double south of Cahors in the centre of an Longing') in beautiful relaxing, kite prog. of study support events, both at way transfer the computer software £120 each set including p&p. Tel: Business home/aboard. Saturday 18 February 2006 package(s) or the use thereof to any Jacuzzi bath. Close to Disney and unspoilt market town: A spacious country. Twenty minutes from other person or body by means of sale, 01264 791 691 or email: Mini-summer schools, Revision Weekends all major attractions; from £400 apartment in traditional stone Cardigan Bay and Pembrokeshire (ANY course!), Study Tours etc. Travel Both at the Waterloo Centre loan, sub-licence, lease or any other [email protected] Opportunities method. Any unauthorised use, copying, per week. Tel: 01245 225 638 or house; every comfort, new coast. Open all year. Wood-turning and study with like-minded people and K202, DD100. Course material. make new friends along the way. distribution or adaptation of computer appliances, central heating, tuition available on site. Kings College Annex 150, Stamford [email protected] Books, tapes and videos. Offers EXCELLENT TUTORS. software package(s) issued by the from £300 per week. Street London SE1 University is an infringement of Telephone: 01559 371 997. Graduates / OU staff welcomed also. please. Tel: 01962 714 233. Own a PC? intellectual property rights and is illegal. [email protected] Tel: www.clynglascottages.co.uk Europe K301: Full course materials, STILL only £1 ANNUAL M’ship! Full details and application forms on 07779 254 707. Why not put it to work? Cheque to ‘OUTS’ Society Send SAE to videos, CDs, tapes, books, receive 2006 Prog. mailed to you in Jan. our website: ALGARVE: near Tavira and Spain. ST GERVAIS, French Alps, bright For Sale Care should be taken when excellent condition. £180 + p&p. Up to £1,000 – £2,500 pm 33 years of service quality apartment, 800 metres lrac.co.uk replying to small ads. Readers New 2-bed apartment 2 minutes Tel: 02871 267 198. around existing schedule from ski-lift and thermal spa, 400 A LARGE SELECTION of OU should be aware that no vetting from sea. From £120 per week. Fly L192. Full course materials books or screening is carried out on the euros per week. Sleeps 2-4. Tel: second-hand course material / set Faro, Seville or Lisbon. Telephone: and CDs in excellent condition. £50 www.fabcash.co.uk persons who place these ads. +33 248 589 397. Email: books are available at: ASSOCIATION OF OPEN 020 8572 6790. Email: ono including p&p. Tel: 01872 261 [email protected] or write: Dr F. www.universitybooksearch.co.uk Open University UNIVERSITY GRADUATES [email protected] or 933. Usborne Books at Home and School Alimi, 7 Rue Henri, Beauchet A103: A206, A216, AA303, Earn while you study, selling our fantastic children’s books. Shakespeare Run by Graduates of the Personal www.hisnet.u-net.com/cabanas L204. Full set of materials of Level Your own business for £38. Totally flexible and very rewarding. 18380, Ivoy-le-Pré, France. AA312, £45 each; A220 and Call Peter on 0115 844 7039 for free info pack. OU for Graduates ANDALUCIA: COSTA de la LUZ: 2 Spanish. £80 + p&p. Tel: 01780 Society THE REAL SPAIN: Gorgeous A221, £30 each. Set books not Our flat in traditional dwelling in 755 392. For everyone interested in the We have STUDIED with the OU. Andalucian mountain cottage/s included. Collection preferred. Tel: Wanted We have GRADUATED with the OU. white hill-top town near beaches OU B.A. graduation gown and works of Shakespeare. Quarterly nomorefrogs.co.uk 10 kilometres from coast, £140 01744 735 226. Merseyside. journal contains articles, A grade and Sierra de Grazalema. Sleeps hood. Very good condition, suit Why not join us and be part of a FREE registration for all ages. per week or £220 per week for A103, A207, course materials, FOR QUICK RESULTS and an essays, reviews, interviews and a up to 6. £150 to £200 per week. someone around 5' 4'' £50. Tel: modern, independent Safe, fun – a genuine crowd. two houses. Fly to Almeria, very good condition. £25 each + efficient service advertise your countrywide theatre diary. Tel: 01988 403 266. Email: 01978 710 646. organisation for OU graduates? Internet dating – with integrity Granada or Malaga. Details: p&p. Tel: 01834 844 700. [email protected] S102: S237; S246; S247; S281; OU course material at: Contact the AOUG office for a welcome [email protected] or A103, A207: Spiral bound and For details send a SAE to pack, or visit our website. ARE: Sweden's premier mountain T102; M101; M283; U206. £30 www.universitybooksearch.co.uk telephone 020 7733 5006. universal sets, £25 each plus resort; lake, stunning scenery – each plus p&p. Tel: 01326 319 Tel: 01395 442 174. Brian Foster, 3 Sedgley Close, RAF Hut, Walton Hall, www.casacatalina.co.uk postage. Tel: 0131 225 3099. Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA luxury apartment from £300 per 293. L310 course material, complete Middleton, Manchester M24 2SP TWO-BEDROOM FLAT to rent in A103, A220, A221, AA312, Telephone (01908) 653316 / 655997 week. Call owner any time. Tel: S103, U206, S2689, S330, and in good condition. Tel: 01422 Check our website at Email: [email protected] Luxor, Egypt for £150 per week. course materials, 40 euros per set. http://www.ougrads.org.uk/ 01536 416448. S369, SXR369, Full course 820 547. www.hometown.aol.com/groatsworth Near Nile, Luxor and Karnak Seller based in Dublin. Buyer CYPRUS, LIMASSOL, private materials + extras available. MST 209 course material. Tel: Temples, Valley of Kings. Optional collects if possible, otherwise + Meet REAL people bungalow. Larnaca, new flat. Both Further details call Gareth tel: 07810 554 453. Email: tour guide available £40 per p&p. Tel: +35 312 896 544. Email: nomorefrogs! 2 beds and fully equipped. Near to 07969518778. [email protected] week. Belly dancing and [email protected] beach / town. From £200 per T833, T834, T835, T836. Course S328, (ECOLOGY) and A211 To advertise in this section photography holidays organised. A103: Excellent condition week. Tel: 020 8505 6855. Email: materials £20 each + p&p. Tel: (Philosophy and Human Situation) www.everythingegyptian.co.uk complete with course texts / tapes please call Susan Whitear on [email protected] 01235 818 400. course materials. Robert. Tel: TUSCANY, Bagni Di Lucca. / CD and arts study guide. £375 DORDOGNE – Idyllic views, pool, 02920 823 965. +44 (0) 20 7878 2313 Detached villa with pool and inc. p&p. Tel: 01333 340 859; Goods & Services sympathetically renovated SMT356: Electric Magnetism The Best Singles Magazine excellent views. Conveniently Y154 BOOKS 1-3 £20 inc. p&p. Tel: farmhouse and barn both sleeping course videos, TMA, anything? Call or to for full details of display for New Friends, Loving located to visit Florence, Siena 01333 340 859. six: dishwasher, washing machines. DSE212 ED209 Andrew. Tel: 07771 941 394. Partners or Pen Pals. and Bisa Lucca coast. Four A425, M.L. Kekewick (ed) Princes advertising please call UK or Overseas Log stove. Easter till October. bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps and Peoples, King Richard 11, tel: D317 DD303 10 Years Success Telephone: 01474 704 334. Market Place David Lancaster on 8. Tel: 01908 282 240. Mobile: 07960 595 220. Revision Packs SEND FOR FREE DETAILS www.bevfrenchfarmhouse.co.uk + BARGAIN OFFER TO:- 07836 316 509. AA309 COURSE BOOKS: Three Prepared by experienced OU tutors +44 (0) 20 7878 2316 DORDOGNE. Two-bed cottage, DYSLEXIC? NEED HELP WITH PERSON TO PERSON UNSPOILT LA GOMERA, 1-bed videos, 4 tapes, 3 set books, very sleeps 5 + infant, all mod cons. DSE212 pack (incl. summary cards): £10 ESSAY WRITING? Individual (Dept.OS), PO Box 40 seaside apartment. Pool, private good condition. £50 + £10 Also: ED209, D317 and DD303 Large garden, heated pool. tuition / support by tutor in essay Minehead, TA24 5YS terraces, near beach. Tel: 020 postage. Tel: 01257 422 837. Prices include p&p within UK 01643 709 509 Peaceful, beautiful countryside, writing and study skills. 1-1 Could you be one of our 8677 6212. Email: AA820 course set books as new. DSE212, ED209 and DD303: ideal for relaxing, sightseeing, Dyslexia Tuition Centre, tel: 01273 Group Travel Organisers? [email protected] £70 + p&p; AA306, six videos £20 [email protected]; walking, cycling. Activities and D317: [email protected] 689 760 or 07713 237 971. South VENICE: Central luxury + p&p. Tel: (00)33 164 289 066 restaurants nearby. From 320 Full details and samples for all courses: east. If you belong to a club, association or apartments, air-conditioning, (France). special interest group and are a pro- euros per week all in. Tel: 0033 553 www.erikacox.co.uk LEARN SPANISH IN SPAIN by terrace / garden available, K100: Complete course material active member of the group with an 520 497; [email protected] living with your tutor. The best nationwide introduction reasonably priced. Call owner any in excellent condition. £30 + interest in travel, why not consider Learn French, German, www.learnspanishinspain.co.uk taking on the role of Group Travel agency for environmentally- FECAMP, NORMANDY. Small time. Tel: 01536 416 448. postage. Tel: 01258 454 597. Tel: 07971 493 977. Organiser? We arrange quality group friendly, socially-conscious, French fishing town only three K100: Complete course material Italian, or Spanish from travel for groups of 40 or more offering single non-smokers. hours from Paris. Two-bedroom the ‘Worlds Greatest MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Rejected a range of short break itineraries to UK & Ireland in good condition. £50 + p&p. Tel: Language Teacher’. by friends, shunned by the public, Europe. What’s in it for you? With a # # house close to town centre and 01158 498 171. FREE BROCHURE abandoned by family, more than group of 42 both the Organiser and sea. From £175 per week. CORNWALL: LELANT, St. Ives. 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